Simplicity is sometimes better...

 

There's a common theme I'm hearing from a lot of quilters these days:  simplicity.  We all seem to be impacted by all the chaos (and ugliness)  in the world these days.  Many of us have multiple responsibilities tugging at us and competing for our time.

I've been going through some of my quilts and textiles and pulled out this simple yellow quilt:

 

I love the space in between the 9 patches.  There's a sweet order to this quilt and I've enjoyed having it on my couch these days.

I think this piece is from the early 1960s.  I do believe that it was made then because the woman who sold it to me mentioned it was the first quilt she made. 

I'm looking for a new quilt to make and for some reason, I keep thinking I need to make something more complicated.  But the truth is I just want to relax and enjoy myself...and that is okay.

Do you find yourself putting pressure on yourself to do something more fussy?

Have a safe and happy day!

Hankie Holder?

 

Did you have a good weekend?

Today I'm talking about a mystery.  Years ago, I bought two mystery items.  I took them to the study group but none of us could figure out what the purpose.  Later I thought maybe they were shoe holders and wrote about it here.

They look like pants but are closed at the bottom:

Now I'm wondering if perhaps they were meant to hold hankerchiefs.  I was going through some things and found this which I had forgotten about:

Is it possible the "pants" were made for this purpose?

I'm still not sure.  

What do you think?

Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: March 27, 2026

 

I was so pleased that Louise sent me photos from her garden.  Thank you Louise!  Our crocuses faded with the last storm so these are a treat!

I got the phone to work again (I'm not sure how) but here are some photos from my part of the interwebs:

The heather in my garden is attracting honey bees!

The storms we had a week ago really damaged the flowers.  My neighbor had lots of Dutch irises blooming.  They faded with the cold and rain but one little iris has appeared again:

Siberian Squill is blooming everywhere:

A true sign of spring is the forsythia blooming!

The daffodils are beginning to bloom.  These are miniature ones that were growing at the park!

Last but not least is my neighbor's Lenten Roses on the header above.

I am cleaning out the beds one at a time these days (weather permitting) and so enjoying any time I can get outside!  I hope you are too!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

A Glitch

 

I'm having problems getting photos from my phone to the computer.  This is a new problem and I'm not sure what to do about it.  I'll ask the 8 year old across the street to help me when he gets home from elementary school.

I had lots of photos of flowers so I'm hoping to get this running before tomorrow.  Thanks for understanding!

Inspiration Illustrations

 

Apologies.

I've been meaning to post more illustrations that inspire me to create a similar quilt (see post here).

Unfortunately, I'm usually running at 90 mph and I write blog posts very quickly before I have to be (or drive someone) to an appointment.

Without further ado here are three illustrations of quilts I would like to try:

Any illustrations you can think of that you would like to sew?

Have a safe and happy day!

Happy Spring!!!

 

It's here!  

I woke up on Thursday and wondered why is music playing so early in the neighborhood.  Granted, I am very hard of hearing and couldn't figure it out right away.  It wasn't a radio or an ice cream truck...it was birds singing!!  

We usher in a new positive season of rebirth and joy.  Goodness knows we all need it at this point.

The flowers that were blooming here were smooshed by the storms we had earlier in the week but the daffodils are surfacing rapidly these days and soon other flowers will be waving.

Nann from the "With Strings Attached" blog recently emailed be about a new habit going around the internet.  Instead of "doomscrolling" take a break and do some "bloomscrolling".  Here are some great definitions:

By the way, you should check out Nann's blog.  She is a fantastic quilter and I always find her posts enriching!  You can Nannscroll here.  😊

Hope you get some decent weather and an opportunity to absorb the beauty of spring!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Baby Quilt

 

So happy that another baby is coming soon!

We are close with our neighbors, especially the family next door!  We've watched their kids grow up and often they played with my granddaughter over here.  The youngest son and his wife are having a baby in May.  The decor of the nursery is "cottage core".

Here's what I am sending over:

I actually made this quilt years ago for my daughter but she isn't going to have kids so this one is for Sam and Abby.  I hand quilted as well.  I want to get a bunny for the baby too.  Yes I know there are Easter eggs in the fabric but the colors are perfect for the photo sent to me.

I'm still working on the same quilt top I started in January.  It's an easy pattern but I just don't have time in the sewing room.  

What are you working on?

Have a safe and happy day!