Lovely World

a little visit

I visited one of my mother's friends last week. He is very much a homebody, and has lived in his large, brick Victorian house for decades. I couldn't help but notice that his home is a conglomeration of little vignettes. I especially love the castle that was drawn on the wallpaper above a dresser mirror and the little alligator hanging out on a window sill in the pantry.

I also noticed how little spots round about our environments can serve as creative inspiration. For example, I really like the color combination I found in the sink of a little bathroom: the subtle pink, yellow, blue, and green set next to the silver of the faucet. The painted wooden boats are sweet as well.

donated quilt

This is a quilt that I finished last week. I donated it to a silent auction fundraiser hosted by the Williamstown Rural Land Foundation, an organization that I sit on the board of. I was really happy to make this as a gift to an organization that does work that I believe in - protecting open land and the rural way of life. I grew up on a family farm in this town, and have watched the pressures that growth and development place on small farms and open land. While I know that times change and communities evolve, I do believe that rural places have much more to offer than the potential price tag of the land, and that they are worth protecting.

This quilt is 90"x64". The top is pieced with 13"x15" cotton print squares in blues, greens, and browns. The back is cream colored, with two strips of pieced fabrics echoing the front. I used cotton batting and machine quilted it in a closely-spaced wavy line pattern. I used dark brown for the binding.

I am so pleased with the whole experience of making this quilt that I already have a plan for my next one under way. I hadn't made a full-sized quilt in over ten years. It feels good to be back in the saddle.

vintage quilt block friday

Wagon Wheel pattern. These blocks are 15 inches square. Most of the fabric is cotton, but a few appear to be blends. The background is muslin. They are hand stitched. Probably made in the 1940s.

I have many of these blocks. They were given to me in 1993, after the mother of a woman I worked with died. In cleaning out her mother's belongings, my co-worker had come across boxes of sewing supplies. I was thrilled to be the recipient of one of those boxes. Soon after the blocks came into my possession, I made many of them into a bed-sized quilt. I still have the quilt, although it has not aged well. It was tied, rather than quilted, and I used a polyester batting. I think I'll take it apart and start again.

I love the variety of prints used in these blocks. In particular, I am smitten by the print of the houses, strawberries, hearts, and flowers on a black background. I also really like the nautical prints: the bright blue with anchors and crowns, and the red sailboats.

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Have a nice weekend everyone. I've enjoyed the comments and community this week.

legos

Legos have taken up housekeeping in many corners of my home. I think I should start charging them rent. At least these fellows appear to be offering me some protection from the enemy.

venice

I came across this colorful book at a used book sale. "This is Venice" was written in 1961 by the Czech author Miroslav Sasek. Sasek wrote many wonderfully illustrated books about the countries and great cities of the world. My book is a first edition, but I have found that his books are all currently available in reprint.

Did you know that Venice was shaped like a giant dolphin? I didn't (see second photo from top). And I love that lady with the lace. Wouldn't it be fun to shop for Venetian lace?

who could this be?

Who could this be? He is such a shy, quiet creature. He is gentle and never makes trouble. He looks a wee bit royal in his blue cape.

He is a bit of a work in progress. I was experimenting with a pattern for a polar bear. This guy was a discard. I had thrown him on the floor under my sewing table. My daughter wandered into my work room the other day and picked him up. She liked the look of him. She asked me if she could have him. Of course. She disappeared into her room after rummaging through my scrap bags. Back for a needle and some embroidery thread. When she returned again she revealed this lovely creature. She had made the cape with velvet trim and embroidered this very sensitive expression on his face.

I am continually thankful for the ways in which my children complete my life in so many (unexpected) ways.

after halloween

The day after Halloween, we ate a lot of candy. And we went on a lovely hike in the woods. And my son came down with a fever in the evening. I'm worried we will all get sick. I roasted a turkey breast and plan to make some turkey noodle soup today, hoping that will boost our immune systems.