Wednesday, May 02, 2007


I wanted to take a picture to prove to myself and everyone else that I’ve been quilting. It’s not completed, but it’s progress. OK, the first thing most people would do is look at the top of the screen, to check and see whose journal this is because this photo is definitely not the ‘typical’ quilt for me. It’s from the first quilt shop I ever went to, the Country Peddler in Minneapolis. It’s since closed, but if you’re like me you always remember that first quilt shop. They had a quilt similar to this one, sitting in a corner next to a watering can. Definitely patchwork, but the quilt was simply squares joined together. The fabrics were mostly small floral and there was a bin to purchase 5 inch squares. Every square reminded me of my grandmother. She always wore what she called “dusters” in the morning for breakfast and doing the morning chores. They were light cotton robes, but she never called them robes--- they were dusters. In the winter, they were heavier and she called them housecoats. The squares could have been patterns right out of those dusters, I just loved them.

What will I do with this quilt?—I’m finally finishing it (it’s been pieced for about 10 years) and thought about using it as a palette for my Sunday school kids for bible stories, and then there’s always the porch swing on the back porch, we’re still having chilly days. I’ll take the low 60’s instead of below freezing we were having a month ago.

What’s been going on? We had a fun visit with my MIL and SIL. There’s never enough time to do the things you want to do. Eric will be home for the summer on Friday. Can you believe he’s got a year behind him already? The summer job for him is waiting “in the wings”.

Don’s a black belt in Tae kwon do and he’s helping test some high school kids for their black belts tonight--- that’s probably why I got a few stitches in. Chelsey‘s battling a cold and pouring it into the school books, catching up from missing classes, not always easy.

Lots of “number crunching” at work, but it keeps my mind from wandering and it seems like I get to come home sooner…..

Gratitudes:
Popcorn
Lunch with Chelsey
Hugs in the afternoon

16 comments:

Juliann in WA said...

This is a beautiful quilt. Love all the quilting on it. How great to be finishing it up.

Fiona said...

Well, it may not be typical for you, but I love florals so it's definitely a winner for me. Both of my grandmothers always wore what they called 'overalls' in the day and wouldn't have dreamed of just wearing everyday clothes without something to cover them up and keep them clean.

Unknown said...

Not your usual style - but beautiful nevertheless. It's good to work outside your usual comfort zone occasionally

Tazzie said...

Your quilting looks lovely, and it's so nice it holds such lovely memories for you.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

Great job on finishing this up - definately worth getting quilted and having this little treasure somewhere, especially since it brings such fond memories to you!

And yes, time does seem to go by faster when you are busy!

Cheers!

Evelyn

Carol said...

That was exactly my thought when I saw the picture...my nana's housecoats. What wonderful memories you brought back this morning...thank you Mel. Enjoy your day.

weirdbunny said...

This is fantastic ... what an acomplished quilter you are !!!

KC Quilter said...

Such soft, sweet colors! And the fabrics keep someone you loved nearby! My mom always wore "housedresses" as she called them. And the prints in hers would have been so similar!

Rose Johnston said...

Lovely quilting!!

Elaine Adair said...

Such pretty florals - soft and for me, filled with memories of Grandma, who made me two dusters, by hand, since she had sold her machine, when I went off to college. I wore those 2 dusters for many years - wish I had one now. No such thing is sold in stores, at least not with the same quality.

Your quilting is lovely.

Anonymous said...

That's a very pretty quilt indeed. I remember my grandmother always wore those "housecoats" too. When I was with her on the weekends, we'd go over to J.C. Penney and get her new ones in new colors, she had tons of them in her closet. I don't remember her wearing anything else. Anyway, I can see why that quilt reminds you of that.

McIrish Annie said...

When we were growing up, we all were "housecoats", we never called them robes. Didn't start calling it that til I moved to CT. Maybe it's a Massachusetts, New England thing. My sisters still call them housecoats and so do my nieces. Funny though, the boys call them bathrobes.! thanks for the walk down memory lane. This quilt is beautiful. perfect for that great porch of yours!!

Darlene said...

That quilt my not be YOU but it sure holds some special thoughts for you. You won't be surprised when I say I love it. It's ME. LOL

a said...

Lovely quilt, and enjoyed reading about "dusters".

Libby said...

My grandma used to wear 'dusters' too. Kind of a light cotton house dress that snapped all the way down the front. They were always floraly and faded looking - perfect for dusting the house and not getting your good clothes mussed. The quilt looks just like the memory.

Carole said...

The quilt looks lovely! I'm doing a bit of catching up on blogs. I'm so glad that spring has finally arrived. I just love the 4 seasons. Keep well!