Sandy

Well, Sandy has come and gone - and left a great deal of devastation in her wake.  Thankfully, Lar and I ( and our families ) got none of it but the frightening thrill of hearing those wind sounds - like massive trains barreling by (and sometimes through) the house!  Looking at the pictures from the Jersey Shore brings tears to my eyes.  Everything that "down the shore" means to folks around here has been ravaged.  Lovely homes, and humble homes - cars, properties - moved, turned, destroyed.  Beaches, so faithfully kept up and reinforced, eroded, changed.  Bridges - torn away, broken, some gone.
Entertainment - roller coasters, ferris wheels, vendors - the stuff of magic for children...destroyed.
It is such a wake up call for humans when nature stomps through and reminds us that we do not actually "rule" it.  We are here to enjoy, to reside, but not, certainly to control.  
And, in the end, although Sandy has left some deaths of humans behind, most of the devastation shown in the paper, on tv and on-line is of "things."  Those things meant a great deal to their owners - perhaps meant a life time of struggle to obtain.  But still - "things" not loved ones.  
So another day dawns and we each one begin to pick up - pick up branches, pick up detritus, pick up our normal routine, and we must remember to be grateful.  Life and Nature are mighty landlords - and if they do not take away, for this moment, what truly matters, then our hearts should swell with gratitude.
And we must hold dearly in our hearts those who have not been so kindly dealt.  If there is some kindness one can offer - one must - for if storms like this show us anything, it is that we are tiny beings, powerless, together - all in one boat, hanging on, depending upon each other.
Live gratefully, live lovingly, and, as my Grandma used to say, "don't get too big for your britches!"  

Food for My Soul

American Rural beauty.
Barns.
Quilts.

Click here!

I am ready to pack up and go!

 

When Do You Love Me?

Really, really sorry to say that the book When Do You Love Me? was not sufficiently supported to take it to publishing as yet.  Therefore, I have removed the link.  However, you might be able to find it on line....( When Do You Love Me? ) and keep your eye out for it...it's too good to just go away.  I wish Elaine every success in finally getting her book out there.  It has an important message.

Disaster Averted!

(See the end for some additional pictures if you've already read this posting!) We recently kind of "fell" over a tub of Orvus offered to me for much less than regular price - and of course, hugely less than the little bottles I used to buy at quilt shops.  I grabbed it.  
Had in mind finishing up the quilt I've been hand quilting since February and then washing it and the rose one I completed last year.
Well, I've been busy!

Finished these little silhouettes of George and Martha - truth is, I only left his signature - about 15 or so years ago - so it didn't take long.  And got them framed the next day.

Have begun (not complete yet, about 1/2 done) this linen tablecloth from the big box of things handed down from Aunt Mar.  We settled on the color floss we decided would look best, went shopping for it and there was none of that color.  So I settled for this color and we love it!
I have also been working on several other projects that are complete...but more on that later.
I was ready to wash the quilts.
In the back of my mind I realized that I was hearing a lot about "color catchers" lately and something told me to hold up until I'd bought some.  A couple of stores I tried didn't have them - but I found Shout Color Catcher Sheets at Shop Rite.
Today I washed the quilts.
The first one left absolutely nothing on the sheet, so I figured wow, maybe the cold water and Orvus were doing the trick.
But the second quilt was the one with the really strong pink roses.
I tossed in TWO sheets just in case.
Pulled the quilt out and found not a tint of running.
And then I pulled out the two previously WHITE color catcher sheets!

Whew!

 Here are the quilts laying in the yard between two sheets each, drying.

 The first quilt, the one I just completed.  Heavily quiilted.

 And the quilt that might have been ruined if not for the color catchers.

When Do You Love Me

If you would be so kind as to click the little girl's picture on the right, you will see a presentation by a friend who has written a book called "When Do You Love Me" - an important book for children.  Elaine is looking for enough supporters - and contributions - in any amount - to allow her to publish her project.  Take a look, won't you?  thanks!

Don't Catch This Falling Star!

On Saturday of this week, I participated in a workshop with my quilters' guild for "Home of the Brave."  This project, taking place in every state across the nation, is making quilts for the families of those lost in the war.  It's a noble cause and one I enjoyed being part of.
During the workshop I used my 1930's Singer Featherweight machine.  I haven't used it in several years.  Got it out of the case, plugged it in and off we went together, whipping up seams like nobody's business.  Even stitches, just humming along.

Yesterday I sat down to work at home on a project I am making as a surprise for hubby, for Christmas.  My White Quilter's Star - about 4 years old - and used fairly frequently - said "No."
I said, in a fairly loud tone, "GRRRR ARRRRGHHHH!"

One of the pretty habitual quirks this machine has is to absolutely eat, I mean bite big chunks, out of fabric.  And the more expensive the fabric, the bigger the chunks!
Sometimes it wishes simply to have its bobbin taken out and put back in.  Sometimes it doesn't like its needle and wants a new one.  Sometimes it isn't clear at all about what it wants or what it is mad about, it just says "no" and there's no arguing about it.
I went back to my sewing room today, full of resolve and ready to work out our differences.  I replaced the needle, reloaded the bobbin, cleaned out the bobbin area, and made nice.  We sewed about 8 or 10 pieces together and then - no more.  I left the room -  without growling - without any expletives - I simply slumped away.  Beaten.  
On a whim, I typed into my search engine "I hate my sewing machine."
I'm not alone. 
That doesn't help.  But I'm not alone.
Gotta ask yourself tho.  If they could make a fabulous machine about 90 years ago....and they still simply need to have a needle that carries a thread and go up and down - why can't they do it any more?
If you happen to go by my house some day and see a "falling star" flying by - don't be surprised if it's my sewing machine.
I kinda hate it!!

Table runner from Maine