Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Vintage Quilt Progress

I woke up at 1 am, and listened to the rain falling outside. That’s the difference between spring and winter. You may here the wind howl occasionally, but you never hear snow fall. Rolled over and awoke again as Don got called into work at 3am. At 4:30, Ransom and I got up and had cinnamon toast for breakfast.

Still praying over garden seeds--- Some from Stina and San and some I’ve purchased. Don says I can’t walk by a seed stand without picking a package.
So far, I haven’t gotten a package to grow anything to eat….glad I don’t depend on the harvest for survival. But life is way too short to live without flowers and pumpkin gourds anyway. I still plan on purchasing carrot, beans, cucumber seeds along with pepper, broccoli, and tomato plants.

We hadn’t chatted this week, so I wanted to check in. The Sunday School conference was outstanding. I learned tons of new ideas for working with four year olds. My favorite part was when other teachers had problems on how to handle different situations—I had ideas on dealing with the issues. I guess after fifteen years of teaching experience starts playing a big role in it.

Linda sent me a friendship gift that popped up in my mailbox yesterday.
I plan on using some tonight while I watch television. She’s a great friend for keeping me “grounded” through family trials – her response has always been, “ Go to God…” sounds easy, but it’s something I’m really working on. She’s a keeper. I cannot purchase DMC floss in my hometown. In fact I have to travel a good 60 miles before coming close to finding some, so skeins of floss are pretty special.

What have I been working on? I’m calling it my vintage porch quilt. Here’s a sneak peak at the squares. On one hand I get a little nervous--- what if it turns out ugly???? But then I look at the blocks again, and I’ve been studying other vintage quilts and I think it’s going to be wonderful. We’ll keep you posted.

I was looking for a background to photograph the blocks. It’s raining, so an outside shot wouldn’t work. My house is full of the cabin colors of pine green , khaki, and cornflower blue. So I went to my linen closet and peeking out was my baby quilt my grandmother made me. After three years of journaling I laugh at the thought of there being anything left to talk about. But this is really cool stuff. Think about it--- this quilt is close to 50 years old--- getting closer all the time….. I was suppose to be a boy, hence the blue and yellow. I love the detail and the muslin background. The fabric has gray bunnies on it. And the buttonhole stitching around the appliqué is done by hand.
Looking closer I could tell, she basted the edges down and then went back and buttonhole stitched to attach it to the quilt block. I love the reverse images--- who am I kidding, I love everything about it… because my grandmother made it…..

Gratitudes:
Cinnamon toast
Raindrops melting snow
Slippers from my Mom

31 comments:

Wendy said...

Your Baby Quilt from your Grandmother is a treasure indeed! How lovely that you can still enjoy all the love she put into it when she made it for you...aawwww got me all gooey-eyed...lol!

Shelley said...

That baby quilt is so precious! What a treasure!

Angie said...

Yum, cinnamon toast, one of my favorite things. :) The quilt your grandma made for you is a real treasure--how wonderful that you have that! What a good friend Linda is to send you DMC floss---you're right, she's a keeper. :)

I love your basket block stitcheries. My favorites (colors and otherwise) seem to be awfully close to yours, and they don't seem wintery to me either. :) I can't wait to see more of them.

Stina Blomgren said...

Those blocks of yours can never ever turn out to be a ugly Porch Quilt!!!
Love them...
And Linda sure is a treasure ... a wonderful friend!!
Take care...

sewprimitive karen said...

Love cinnamon toast except it never fills me up so I could eat a tall stack of them. Your baby quilt is a real treasure.

Pat said...

You are so fortunate to have a quilt made by your grandmother.  It is beautiful.  Your quilt is beautiful too.  I can't wait to see it finished.  That Linda is the best. We have a garden also. My husband does most of the work there.  I tend to the flowers.  I am so ready for the warmer weather to arrive.  The sun is shining here but we are in the twenties during the day and it is quite windy.

Kimberly said...

How could it turn out ugly??? Those colors are wonderful! Can't wait to see it resting in the breeze on your porch!
Blessings, Kimberly

Julie said...

I can guarantee that your quilt won't turn out ugly--your color choice is great. Love the baby quilt, too. What a treasure. Have a great day. Julie

Adrienne said...

I love the look of your quilt. I'm sure it will be wonderful! And the quilt from your grandmother is such a treasure. Reading of your experience teaching 4-year-olds in Sunday School brings back many memories. When I was quite young I began to teach 2-3 year-olds and loved every minute of it. When I 'graduated' to 4-year-olds it was great! I learned so much from them - some real, true-to-life things - and some very funny things. Thanks for sharing all of your 'goodies' with us today. ~Adrienne~

Unknown said...

Your vintage porch quilt blocks are so sweet Melanie, I can't see how you would think that they would turn out to be anything but lovely. So glad you enjoyed the little envelope, I had a memory that floss wasn't easy for you to get. Any time you need any just let me know and I'd be happy to collect some up for you.

The Retired One said...

Wonderful quilts!
I just put your blog down to follow. I found it through the Building a Log Cabin blogsite.
I live in the U.P.too (on Lake Michigamme) in a log home.
My blog is called The Retirement Chronicles and is located at:
http://myretirementchronicles.blogspot.com

If you have a few minutes, please stop by and read a few posts. If you like it, please click on "follow this blog" in the top left hand corner. I would love to have another YOOPER follow my blog!!!
Thanks!
I like your blog!

Loris said...

These blocks look like they will add up to a beautiful quilt.
I love the title of your blog...as I love covered porches and wooden screen doors as well. Your pics and posts are inspiring..as well as some of the posts from your readers...as from Sue today referencing Luke 18. What a great reminder!

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Very pretty blocks for your 'vintage porch quilt' and that is one cute teddy quilt...

Claudia said...

I love that vintage porch quilt! I especially love the colors...don't be nervous about it. I am going to try to figure out how much that birdhouse was - I can see part of the price tag, but I think I have to go back to the original and zoom in. Let's see what I find out!

Holly said...

How wonderful to have something hand made by your grandmother. Your porch quilt is going to be awesome. Sixty miles from a store that carries DMC floss - eek! I love, love, love the sound of rain pattering on the roof. Seed time - my second favorite time of year (summer's best) because of planting seeds and flowers etc. I dig gardening. Thanks for the newsy post.

Gypsy Quilter said...

What a treasure granny made. She must of known how special you'd turn out to be and made a quilt to match.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

What a priceless treasure to have the baby quilt! Thanks for your comments on my blog. I guess the only way quilting can be aerobic is going from the sewing machine to the ironing board!

Let me know if you need floss sometime, and I can send you the colors you need.

Journeying said...

How wonderful to have this quilt!
I think your vintage porch quilt is going to be very nice indeed. Keep us posted as you make progress on it. (see? those lighter colors will be perfect on the porch swing in the summer!)
A pile of floss is beautiful any time! And seeds always bring hope.

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

There is just o way that that quilt could be ugly!! beautiful fabrics. I can't walk past seeds either!! Tracey

Claudia said...

I was finally able to zoom in on the price tag on that bird hous - $192.00. I guess if you have it, it would be worth it!

kari and kijsa said...

What a beautiful quilt- a true heirloom!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

Unknown said...

Really lovely to have that quilt .
clares craftroom

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Your baby quilt is a treasure to pass on, it's so cute and I love what you are working on for the front porch.
Linda is such a sweetie, cherish her as a blog friend. Such a thoughtful gift.
I'll be coming back,
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

limpingalong said...

Love the little bear quilt! It is so special to have something made so long ago. Thanks for sharing with us.

I know you can't "hear" snow falling but when we lived where there was occasional snow I could tell when it snowed because we awoke into silence. There was a hush over everything that was different from other times.

Dawn Marie said...

Hello! I found my way here from Shellmo's blog and I have to admit you caught my eye because of the screen door!

What a great blog and I'm so envious of your quilting skills. I took a class a few years ago but never finishing learning how to bind the quilt or put the back on. I just dont have time to get back into it yet--but I want to soon!

Hilary said...

I can't wait to see your vintage porch quilt.......I made a rug that looks very much like it.....love those old fabrics!

Sevenbeads said...

Have been admiring your quilts and bears. They're really charming. I have a pharmacy student son too. Please continue to post those great pictures.

Carrie ~ Cricketwood Prims said...

I am a seed pack lover too, they make them so appealing. Sunflowers grow great from seed here in central oregon so I buy lots of varieties. Enjoy those embroidery threads, very special gift from a dear friend. Love your peeks.

Marina Capano said...

I love your pics ! you have cute blog!

HaveFaith said...

I know what you mean about the seeds. I love growing herbs from seed. Have you seen the watermelon radishes? They are unreal. So pretty. Love your quilts. I'm working on a bunny quilt that I hope to get done tomorrow. (In my dreams.)

Tootsie said...

Hi, I happened onto you blog and had to write to thank you for reminding me of God's faithfulness I believe it was a post back in March. You reminded us to continue praying for our loved ones. Our children (both grown) have deeply hurt us both and we struggle to pray for them.

Thanks again so verymuch,
love & hugs,
alaskasunshine :)