Monday, May 28, 2007

I enjoyed my three day weekend tremendously. I vote for three day weekends every week. The weekend started kind of tough. I had my list of “Have to do’s”. We went to several graduation parties. It was fun, saw people we hadn’t seen in a while. But after the “have to do’s” were complete, it rained. That means no gardening, no playing outside. Sunday it was frightfully cold, again I couldn’t plant. Then Sunday afternoon they put out frost warnings so everything worked out for the best. I think it was God’s way of telling me to quilt.

I slept in until 7:00 am on Monday. Totally out of the ordinary, but even Ransom slept in. We did the breakfast thing and Don and Eric took Ransom running. I hit the elliptical machine for a couple of miles. We’re redoing the walkway in front of the house. Seventeen years of frost lines heaving up and down—it’s cracked and sinks and holds ice so Don and Eric are working on it together. It’s going from a straight sidewalk to and S-shape winding one. It’ll look sharp I hope.

I got dressed. Only quilters can appreciate my bibs.
They are the ceremonial gardening outfit for the past few years. Chelsey says, “Mom – you’re a Dork,” but I’m OK with that.

I planted my geraniums for the steps, played with the hanging baskets, and purchased my tomato plants and bell peppers.

I ordered fabric for a gift that arrived on Saturday. It was clearance I got four yards for $15.00.
What I really liked was the packaging. Looked at how it arrived. I guess it goes to show—little things can mean a lot. I made the gift; pictures will follow after it reaches its destination.

The quilt today is the second quilt I ever made.
I could almost say it was made on a dare. The double wedding ring quilt has always been one of my favorites. I showed Don a picture and kind of talked about making it. Don’s response, “Look at the symmetry... and those curves. There’s no way, Mel that quilt is wayyyy tooo tough.” But instead of caving in, I took the challenge. I used templates and cut each piece individually. I remember sandwich bags all over the place holding the pieces. I hand pieced it because I was worried about stretching the bias if I used the machine. And it’s hand quilted because I had never heard of machine quilting at the time. Talking about rookie quilting--- it has “purchased quilt binding” because I had never heard of making your own. I think I made it in 1991. The fabrics are muslin and scraps picked up here and there. There’s even a piece from an old curtain in our first house. The quilt hung for many years above my bed in our room until I changed the colors. There are lots of nice memories looking at this quilt.

I’m really trying to be grateful for the three-day weekend…. But I find myself wanting more time….

17 comments:

Joanne said...

Love the bibs! WTG on the Double Wedding Ring -- I have a king or queen size all cut out and waiting for me -- for about 10 years now -- someday.
We're supposed to get rain most of this week, so maybe next weekend will be better!

Juliann in WA said...

Three day weekends all around I say! Love the overalls - you are so not a dork.

Kim said...

What an ambitious project for one of your first quilts, and what a great job you did! I still haven't made one, although I'd like to one of these days. And gee I wish I had your weather--we have temps in the 90s, which means summer is here in Sacramento and it's not going to get any cooler until sometime in late October. But I agree with you on the three-day weekends; I sure wish we all worked a four day week (and, no, not 10 hours days either!).

Leigh said...

I can't believe you tackled a double wedding ring for your second quit. What a great job you did of it too. I'm still not game enough.
Love the fabric in your overalls, so you have a quilt to match,lol.

Libby said...

I would wear bib overalls everyday if I could - they have been a favorite since Jr. High *s*
We lucked into some good weather for our weekend . . . an unexpected surprise. Hope you get the chance to play in the dirt soon.

CONNIE W said...

Can you hear my applause for your DWR quilt? I'm amazed that you made that as your second quilt. Wow! It looks so nice. I wear bibs occasionally too. I don't care if I look like a dork, I refuse to conform to the fashion industry about the stuff they're selling us these days. Some of it just plain UGLY! I say wear the bibs with pride, they're wonderful! :-)

Unknown said...

I love being my daughter's 'dork' too - I'm sure it's said affectionately! We can't really get 'dungarees' as we call bib overalls over here very easily. If we could I'd be in 'em all the time :o) So I just make do with track suit bottoms instead - the height of sartorial elegance NOT!

Shelina said...

Another person showing a double wedding ring! Paula (the Quilter) showed one recently too. Yours is gorgeous. It's on my list of things to do, but I have been waiting until my skill level increases. Now I'm thinking that it is quickly moving up the line, shoving a lot of the other quilts aside.
I agree with you that we should have three day weekends every weekend. It would help remind us of what we are working for.

Karen said...

from one "dork" to another- I LOVE your bibs! If I could, I'd live int them too. Your DWR is wonderful. I'm still shaking my head that it was one of your first quilts. Hope the weather improves so you can play in the dirt.

Carole said...

Love your "ceremonial gardening outfit"! It beats my Sponge Bob Square Pants boxer shorts that I like wearing around the house! What wonderful memories from looking at your DWR. Be well and happy quilting!

Gail said...

That is quite a quilt, even for someone with experience! Nice job. And never mind the dork thing, I think the bibs are great, would love to have some for myself.

Pam said...

Bibs! I refuse to grow up and toss my bibs. I vote for 3 (or 4) day wknds every wk as well!!

Quilts And Pieces said...

OOO - I"m all for 3 day weekends every week! We only wish don't we! Love your bibs, and what a great double wedding ring - I've never made one yet.

Laurie Ann said...

I have a short, really bright colored moo moo type dress that I love to wear on really hot days. DH just hates it! But I don't care. I love the colors and it feel so good! I'll have to blog about it later in the summer.

Paula, the quilter said...

How funny! I posted about my DWR quilt yesterday! I think it was my third quilt. Love those bibs; unfortunately I am a bit 'curvy' for bibs -- never been able to wear them.

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

I wanted to plant too - and then it was so cold the water pipes at our camp froze! A few days later - heat wave - so go figure. We had a good soaking of rain too. Well, when it rains - quilting is a good thing to do! Your DWR quilt - beautiful! And sometimes - ignorance is bliss as I am sometimes very amazed at what rookie quilters will attempt (and often finish), while those more experienced don't even attempt.

Cheers!

Evelyn

Patti said...

The only thing better than a three-day weekend is a four-day one. I loved having Friday off to. Hear, hear - I think we could really get used to this! I'll happily have a three-day weekend every week - as long as they don't cut my pay!

Looks like you rose to your husband's challenge beautifully. And all hand made too. Certainly a quilt to be proud of!