Heatwave Haul

 

I hope you have air conditioning!

Here we all are today:

 And it's going to heat our friends in Canada too!

How are you staying cool?  I end up waking around 5 a.m. in the summer so that makes it easier to get everything done including Lucky's main walk.  In the afternoons we hibernate and I won't walk the boy again until twilight.  

***

Brad went on a fishing vacation last week and didn't take me.

So I bought fabric.

Apparently many sewists now refer to their purchases as their "haul" and do posts or videos about what they purchased.

I purchased some Riley Blake fabric from Marshall Dry Goods.  I'm not overly fond of the fabric Marshall's produces but they also sell designer fabric.  I was eyeing this fabric for some time but broke down and bought a little of each:

As we all know, I never met a floral fabric that I couldn't love:

This fabric reminds me of old embroidery patterns I had in the 1960s.  I'm not sure why but I really love it.  There was only one yard left but that is all I need.

The last one that I really wanted was this fabric with children at the park.  A lot of times I try to incorporate fabric that features animals or toys over children.  I make these as charity quilts and I just don't know who is going to receive the quilt.  This fabric has all kinds of children represented and that makes it valuable for kid's quilts.

Unfortunately I won't be using this fabric right now.  Beth suggested to keep doing hand work until cooler weather arrives and that seems wise.

What are you occupying yourself during this heatwave?

Have a safe and happy day!

Summer Solstice Flower Friday

 

Happy Summer Solstice!

Happy Flower Friday!

Sue sent photos and this one is of her deck.  Included in the photo are her lemon tree, tomato, marigolds, petunias, and portulaca.  Isn't this a lovely display!

Phlox from Sue:

Sue did comment that all the rain ruined a lot of flowers but her Hydrangea is doing well!

We've had the same problem here.  This lace edged hydrangea is very shaded and protected and the best looking bush I have right now:

The Annabelle hydrangeas are doing okay but many branches are laying on the ground:

First coneflowers of the season!

Forget me nots and lady's mantle:

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend!

 

Happy Juneteenth!

Have a safe and happy Juneteenth!

Sewasaurus

 

How are you doing today?

There will be very little gardening this week.  It rained a lot again and there is still standing water outside.  Around here, we don't garden in mud so I'm getting some sewing done.

I'm in the middle of a lot of sewing projects.  I'm focusing on finishing mug rugs and table toppers and that fits fine with next week's weather.   My main goal is to have enough handwork prepared for next week when the first heatwave begins.  Most of you know that my sewing room is in the attic so it's important to have  handwork that I can do on the first floor of my house. 

I'm also thinking about a quilt to honor Paula.  She was killed in late 2023 when a young man smashed into her car.  

Paula's youngest and only daughter has asked numerous times that I make a quilt from her mother's clothes for her 1 year old daughter.

I know it must have been hard for Jenny to go through her mom's clothes.  But she finally sent some of Paula's shirts over.  The thing is that the fabric is REALLY varied.  So I'm reviewing options and designs.  

What are you working on right now?

Two days until Flower Friday--and the first day of summer--so if you have photos to share please email me!

Have a safe and happy day!

Scrap Happy

There's a saying, "You know you're a quilter when the only scraps under your table are fabric..."

Unless you have a dog.

Family and friends refer to Lucky as "the hoover" because the first thing he does when he visits is check out the floor for crumbs on the floor.

Today is another day of rain and I'll be working most of the day in the sewing room.  Here are some scrap quilts you may enjoy:

Have a safe and happy day!

 

The World In One Family

 

Many people my age were not alive during World War II.  Still the war was very much a part of our childhood; many of our family members had served.  The war was featured in our books, movies, television shows, and even in the games (or scenarios) we made up as children.  We knew of the war time events, heroism, and horrors so well that it somehow became embedded in our memory of childhood. 

During these sorrowful times, I concentrate on what I believe to be good and compassionate.  Recently, I stumbled upon a story that occurred during World War II that was new to me.

When Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, it had a collaborator:  the Soviet Union.  The Soviets took many of the Polish Jews to Siberia; most of the children ended up orphanages where often they were only fed one slice of bread per day.

These children had an unlikely hero who saved them:  Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the  Maharaja of Jamnagar in Gujarat, India. 

 

The Maharaja "adopted" hundreds of the Polish children and provided them with safe housing, food, and even provided for their education.  He told them they were his children now and treated them with dignity and kindness.

Soon other countries like Mexico and New Zealand offered sanctuary to Polish refugees.

Here are some online stories you can read: here and here and here.  There are also many touching videos on the internet.

"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is an Hindu phrase.  I've read this considered one of the most important philosophical and moral values.  It translates as "the world is one family."

Certainly the Maharaja illustrated this value with his kindness.  He was never listed as hero of World War II when I was growing up--but he certainly needs to be included with the other heroes of that war.

Have a safe and happy day.

Flower Friday: June 13, 2025

 

Happy Flower Friday!

Hoping you have a lovely holiday!  We will be having rain again but that's okay, I'll sew.

Joanne's lovely hibiscus with a pink center.  I've never seen this kind before!

Pete's lovely clematis!

Beth's stunning Mountain Laurel!

Have a wonderful weekend!