Rainy Day ---

Never leave home without it..... a hand sewing project.

It's been raining off and on this afternoon.  I've been enjoying myself --- catching up with Carolyn and hand stitching on wool applique.

Hoping for and early season completion.

Falling Charms

The clock on summertime is ticking…. I was picking up in my sewing room when I came across 3 Blackbird Designs charm packs.  Beach House is the fabric line. Love then name, love the colors, the feel of the fabric--- love everything about it.  Being several years old – there’s no more fabric in the stores.  I added some stash fat quarters to go with it.

I’m not ready for Fall—wanting to hold onto Summer for as long as I can…. I voted for an easy to quilt piece.  Missouri Quilt Company had an online tutorial for a quilt called Falling Charms.  I thought it was perfect because I don’t want to cut up these charms --- I love every inch of fabric.

Whether it’s thrown over the hammock, hung on the rack in my breakfast area, or on a hanger next to an un-lit wood stove (hopefully we won’t be needing it too soon)….This quilt will cozy things up. 

I better get busy.

A quilt called Black Birds

DNA demanded it…. Chelsey’s started quilting. While I felt like she labelled me as the ‘dork’ of the family—Quilting has become the ultimate in cool.  It’s been a  great bonding moment for both of us.  I don’t know who loves it more--- her or me for  the fact that I get to share my ultimate passion with her. 

Every quilt I have ever given her has taken on new meaning as for as quilting styles, binding techniques, and lessons in piecing. She was given my old sewing machine when she moved out.  She’s dusted it off  and we’ve tackle that first ‘ broken needle’ together.  As I type this – I’m ordering a quarter inch quilting foot for that machine--- to give to her.

‘Mom, I never really knew how much time it took to make a quilt’. 

‘Mom, I got all my fabric from thrift shops --- and it’s still expensive…. I never knew’.

So many conversations that she’ll probably never know how much they mean to me. 

My family calls me ‘Aunt Bee’.  They’ll never call her that --- she wears the title ‘ Quilter’ with pride and dares anyone to judge or tease her.   Me--- I’ve never been that brave….

We were sharing pins on Pinterest -  (quilt pins)… 

I found a pin to share

A Quilt called Black Birdsby Sew Fresh Creations:

 I loved it.  I told Chelsey it reminded me of her--- it said, “ Stand out in a Crowd…. Dare to be different”

She said we had to make it.  I researched and found the pattern.  I sent it to her. She texted back-“ I don’t know Mom--- looks like a quilt for someone with more experience.  I don’t think I could do it—maybe in a couple of years—just not now.”

I hate being pressured – and I have learned this about myself—quilting is my hobby on my own terms. I hate ‘have to’s ‘ and I hate deadlines.  I told her no big deal  that I got it, “ But Mom, you go on and make it.,” she said.

I just know she can do it.  So last night after eight o’clock, I pulled out my scraps – she just needs a sample, plus I’ll decide how hard the pattern is.  So this is my canary (Because it is yellow)-

I wrote her a letter—because she lives 100 miles away—and sent it. I told her to use it as a sample, or maybe if she ever makes the quilt to possibly use it as a label for the back.

I have to make this quilt—because it reminds me of her…..

Billy's Shirts

The baby quilt was pieced and quilted and sent on his way.  Made entirely of a friend's son's shirts who was a volunteer fireman.  He was to be Uncle Billy to a new generation of Pestor babies.  Taken suddenly with congestive heart failure at 30 years old.  My friend brought me shirts and said, " just make something-- you choose." The fire trucks seemed appropriate, they were a $2.50 download from Etsy.  The other blocks were just pictures found on Pinterest.

I started the quilt on Mother's day, kind of 'teary' while cutting out each block.  I can't imagine what my friend must be going through losing a son.  I finished it on Father's Day.  They back was made from Navy and white gingham.

A good memory --- and I can definitely say a quilt brightened a very sad story.