Sew & Tell ~ Maintenance and Self-Care

As I wrote my stories for last week's Pieces of My Life series (blog post & newsletter) I mentioned the need for maintenance... roads require it or they become rough and, sometimes, impassable.  Vehicles require maintenance...water systems need it... machines of all types need it.  

I've been so busy with customers quilts (not to mention life) lately that the proper cleaning and maintenance of my sewing machines had been overlooked.

As you can see, my poor Lyric was in desperate need of attention.  No wonder the stitches weren't quite "perfect"!  

After a good cleaning of all the lint and bits of thread I spent time trying to get the locations and dates embroidered on the park sign blocks of our Camping Journal quilt.  This gets me one step closer to a finish and leaves the final two rows of postcard blocks to be experienced.  

A good portion of one day was devoted to picking through my scrap bin in search of two specific pieces of Route 66 fabrics that I want to be included in a few blocks representing our trip later this month.  I was finally successful and located one of the two... I guess I really did use up every last bit of the other one.  

All of this to say... we need to pay attention to our machines and our bodies and perform the proper maintenance and care to keep running at optimum speed and function.

I mentioned water systems... after the freeze and breakage of the main line earlier this year, there was to be maintenance performed to improve and replace several shut-off valves. That was scheduled for this coming week.  

It was a good plan, but as luck would have it, an observant neighbor noticed a growing puddle of water on Friday afternoon.   There is a leak.  Noooooo! The repairs will be made Monday.  Fingers crossed and hands folded in prayer, the line doesn't blow completely and we end up with a geyser.

Dave and I are in need a break!  (It is coming soon!  Our nephew's wedding is just a few weeks away and we will be there.)

I am looking at my self-imposed publishing schedule for the Pieces of My Life Sew Along and trying to figure out how to best handle the emailing of my newsletter.  The releasing of the patterns is easy to schedule and manage... The newsletter is a little trickier for me since I use a mail merge feature of MS Word and don't have access to the program on either of our laptops.  Hmmmmmmm.... I have options.  I will need to consider all of them and determine how important it is to keep the two blocks/stories separate.  

Do you enjoy getting two different stories with each block?

Were you aware that I even do that???

These are just some of the questions I had floating in my mind as I did the embroidery on my park signs.     

Along with the question of why, oh WHY, does my machine do fine on one block and then does something so messed up that it is not legible??? (This will be a question the next time my machine is taken in for its "spa" treatment.)

I finally gave up on the machine embroidery.  I was spending so much time removing bad stitching I decided that I will hand stitch the few remaining portions. I am matching the lettering as close as possible... The free-hand stitching can't be any worse than the stitching gone awry!  I will fix a few more, like the date on the Cimarron Canyon block... that is supposed to say "May '24". 🤦‍♀️

As for my personal self-care, I am enjoying the slow stitching!  I have been reminded that not everything needs to be about getting it done fast.  Right??? Who's with me? 

I've rambled on long enough... Time for the Sew & Tell feature. Maggie at Making a Lather shared several finishes.  They are fabulous!  Take a minute to stop by and admire them a little closer and give her a pat on the back for the accomplishment.

Let's get the party started! 🎉

I'll be over here hand stitching... what are you up to?

If you don't want to join the party, leave a comment... 

OR... Do both!  I'd love to hear from you and give your blog or social media account a visit.

Keep piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

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Pieces of My Life ~ Rough Road

 

I think I can safely say that all roads traveled in life are not smooth.  Some are rough and washboard like, some have big holes or ruts, some are muddy and are easy to get bogged down on.  And then there are the ones that allow for smooth, easy travel.  But even those smooth roads require maintenance... or they too will become rough roads.

The focus topics of the pages that accompany this block are family and travel... but I'll be fully focused on travel here.

If you are a regular visitor of my blog, you know by now that Dave and I love to travel.  My Maternal Grandparents had a bit of wanderlust.  They had extensive travels in their lifetimes.  

I have not had taken the opportunity to have much international travel.  Short of a few trips "just over the borders" to Juarez and Nogales, Mexico and Point Peale Canada, I have only seen locations within the 48 contiguous states.  Our bucket list of places to visit is extensive.  As we approach retirement age, we believe we will start marking some of those off.  Alaska and Hawaii included, but after we travel the highways with our camper.  We want to explore Maine & New York, the Carolinas and the Outer Banks, the deep south, the Pacific Northwest and everything in between! 

One of the most outstanding travel memories for me is when we took 3 weeks to travel in the summer of 2005, while our daughters were still teenagers.  We drove from Colorado, across the Midwest to Michigan for a family reunion with Dave's Dad and all of his siblings ~ a total of 27 people descended upon one cottage.  There may have been several tents, too.  There were only 1 niece and 1 nephew that were not present.  We had an entire weekend of fun, laughter, sun and water.  There were kids, towels, chairs, and water toys everywhere!

From Michigan we ventured across Ohio into Pennsylvania... more specifically, Gettysburg.  

Rich with history, we were sometimes speechless as we toured the area learning details of the battles and lives lost.  And I can't forget the "ghost tour".  Heather has specifically requested that.  It was a bit of a bust, but after getting home and looking through pictures, we discovered that there was an apparition that appeared in one of the photos we took in the attic of the Schriver House.  You can see it in the center of this photo...

From Gettysburg we drove to Washington DC where were lucky enough to have been added into a tour of the White House and the US Capitol.  I don't know if tours of the White House are still permitted, but if they are and you can get in on a tour, DO IT!

(Special memory of the WH tour: We had received a list of items that were not permitted... lip balm was on the list, but Heather insisted on taking hers (buried deep in a pocket).  As we passed through security she set off an alarm.  The look of shock on her face as she thought she got caught.  Turns out the buckle on her belt caused the alarm. Whew!)

After these tours, we wandered the length of the mall and visited all of the Memorial and Monuments and a few museums.  We were able to visit Ford's Theatre and Arlington Cemetery before we left the area to head home.  

We traveled through West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.  We stopped in at the Arch in St. Louis.  The girls didn't care for the elevator system - the compact car that we had to be in to get to the top.

We included the girls in on the discussion of vacation plans.  Once we had a destination selected, we each got to make a request for what to make a priority while there.  The movie, National Treasure, wasn't very old at that time, so seeing the National Archives was one that Rebecca requested.  Heather enjoyed the movie Pearl Harbor and wanted to make sure we saw the WWII memorial.

Our method of planning was very different from what Dave or I had ever experienced as kids.  My parents and Grandma & Grandpa T were the ones that planned the vacations I had as a child.  Dave's parents always made the plans for their family as well.

Not that I didn't enjoy the vacations I had with my parents, but I recall asking to make one stop on a trip and my idea/request was denied.  Maybe that is why we made sure to include our children in the planning of vacations.

With our children grown, our trips are more frequent.  It helps that we are self-employed and have the freedom to come and go as we desire. :)  And since having a camper, they are less expensive as well.  We always traveled by car with the girls (we never could have afforded 4 airline tickets, plus car rental on top of the hotel stays and meals.) and they never complained about the time required in the car.  One slept and the other would read.  We taught them that the journey to the destination was just as important as getting there.  

Thanks for tagging along as I recalled one of our favorite vacations.  I hope I didn't bore you too much with the "slides".  

What was one of your favorite vacations? 

What was it about the trip that made it your favorite?

I'd love to hear from you!

You should know the routine by now... Head over to my Payhip store to get the pattern for Rough Road and don't forget to come back to link up your completed block in the block parade. :)

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

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Pieces of My Life ~ Section III

All of the blocks to be included in Section III of the Pieces of My Life QAYG quilt have been published... which means that you are ready to assemble Section III!

If you have stayed with me thus far, congratulations!!!  I am so proud of you.  Give yourself a good pat on the back from me. :)

The layout of Section III is the same Section I.  You will find all of the cutting instructions and assembly of the unit by following the highlighted link.

Quilt as desired... Whatever you do, have fun with the quilting! 

Below is a photo showing the details of what I did.

The lower left portion is a little wonky because the quilt was hanging outside and there was a slight breeze during her glamor shot session. :)  But you will get the jist of it. 

Remember... have fun!

Which block in this section is your favorite?  Leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you. 

Are you ready for Block 19??? It will be a 12" block comprised of a few HSTs, 4-patch units and a couple squares.  Any guesses???  Coming soon!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Sew & Tell ~ Vintage Revived

A few pictures of some special details 

Last week I added the final finishes to the Baby's First Year quilt - the label - and then looked around wondering what my next project could be.  I had been "dreaming" of a vintage tablecloth that had been included in the box of baby clothes from my customer/friend and decided then and there, that was it.

She actually sent me two of them... this one and a larger pink one.  (I'll show you that one later.)

As I decided on how to quilt it, I could nearly imagine the hours of fellowship shared around this piece...

Who wants to join me for some tea?

As the meal is prepped, the conversations and laughter ensue...  the food is placed on the table and family and guests gather together... some may offer thanks, while others may just dive right in and dish up.  It matters not, but conversation seems to flow much easier when there is a meal involved.  

Defenses are dropped and everyone becomes a bit more honest and real.  Conversations, sometimes heated conversations, ensue.  A recounting of the day's events given.  The good. The bad. Even the ugly.  Laughter is shared... Tears may be shed... Bodies are nourished... Energy is renewed...  Opinions are shared... Jokes told... Milk is spilled... and how many of us have ever cried over spilled milk??? And then were told "I'll give you something to cry about."? ME!

The table is where games are played... where cheaters get caught... stories are told...  The kitchen table is where memories are made.  

This tablecloth, I am certain, holds many memories.  Just imagine the stories it could tell... 

I think many families are missing a great opportunity each and every day.  They grab dinner on the run and the car becomes the "dining room".  

When I make a quilt, it is with the full intention of it being used.  Never mind the size or purpose of it... if it is a throw size, snuggle up under the love and prayers that are stitched into it as you watch tv or enjoy a cup of tea and a good book on a cool day.  If it is a table runner, put it on your table or a counter.

If it is large enough for a bed, by all means... Put it on there!  I pulled out a double wedding ring quilt that had been a graduation gift to my Grandpa Teegarden... He graduated in 1930.  It is in pristine condition... because it lived in a cedar chest for most of its 94 years.  I experience great joy seeing it on the guest bed as I pass by the doorway in the hall.  I am careful that it is not exposed to direct sunlight so it won't fade or damage the fabrics.

The guestroom closet is where the bulk of my stash lives and I find that I can get distracted when I go to the closet to search for a specific fabric as I sit and examine the arcs of the wedding rings... I wonder about what original piece of clothing may have been made with the small bits.  Were they aprons?  Was this one leftover from a dress, or perhaps pajamas?  Was some of it from a men's work shirt?  The questions go on and on... and then I remember the original purpose of my visit to the room/closet. Lol.

My plan is to rotate through the various quilts that I got when Mom moved to her apartment.  

Life is too short to keep the "good stuff" for special occasions.  Why not make each and every day a special occasion?

As I look to the coming week, we are considering sneaking away for a few days to Cimarron Canyon for a short camping trip... I'll need to get some quilted hearts prepared and I have a few postcard blocks to finish up.  These last few will catch me up with the very few trips we have had this year.  

I guess the pink roses tablecloth will simply have to wait...

Time for the Sew & Tell feature! Drum roll please.... Not Afraid of Color showed of some vibrant colors in her projects.  Her lime green Feathered Star has some fun fabrics... "I love that bit of words , the daisies, a Christmas angel, spirals, and that bit of repeated lime has sparkles on it in glitter!"  

And her orange flower is just so sweet as she continues to embellish it with embroidery, beads and sequins.  Make a quick visit to her blog to see it.  You will not be sorry. ;)

Now it is your turn!  I want to see your projects.  But before you go...

What is your opinion on sharing a meal as a family?

I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy’s Quilts

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

Home Matters at Days Filled with Joy

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather at Shabby Art Boutique

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

Share Your Style at French Ethereal

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

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Friday Fellowship

As I reflect on the past 2 weeks, I am filled with emotion.  Feelings of loss and fulfillment, sadness and joy.... but my cup has definitely been filled.

Following the death of our Shelby Grace it was so strange to return home from any errands and not be greeted by the little brown dog with the wagging tail.  When we shared the news with the people that frequent our doorstep with deliveries and the tellers of the drive-in bank, tears welled.  Not just ours, but theirs as well. Though, I have to admit, it made the preparation for our travels much easier since we didn't need to arrange doggy day/night care.  

Dave and I drove the miles across Colorado for my first trunk show presented to a wonderful and welcoming quilt guild. We were blessed with the opportunity to stay with longtime friends that we have not seen for years.  Our time catching up was as though we had just seen each other just last week.  The friendships like this are vital to life!  

As we drove, we listened to a book, Chasing Fireflies.  It was well written, and the narrator was pleasant to listen to.  And I worked on a new paper embroidery project.

It is sometimes difficult to know when such a project is "finished."  As I look at it in the photo, I see several more lines and shadows that could be enhanced.  For now... I'll say it is done.

During our return from the Lazy J Goat Farm, We listened to Where the Crawdads Sing.  We have seen the movie and the book is just as good.  Though we are only 1/2 way through.  I hope to renew it to listen when we travel to Illinois.  

When the unpacking was complete, I stitched on the label for the Baby's First Year quilt and kept eyeing a small vintage tablecloth that was included in the box of baby clothes.  

Grace was selling some of her mother's items after her passing and I had commented on the cloth in July.  Much to my surprise it arrived months later.

Sure, it is a little stained and worn... but can you imagine the fellowship and conversations, stories, laughter and tears that took place around it.  The coffee/tee and food stains and small holes only add to the charm of the piece.

You can read some further thoughts I shared years ago when I quilted another tablecloth for a customer... The Heart of the Home.

It is currently under my needle, and I hope to share the finished, refurbished table topper on Monday in my Sew & Tell Party.  Stay tuned!  Speaking of Sew & Tell... This week's party is still open!  You're more than welcome to join the fun. :)

In recent years I have started using table toppers or placemats on our table. This one may be added to my collection, even though it is a little larger than our table... We shall see. 

Do you use tablecloths or table toppers?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

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Remote Studio ~ Sew & Tell

What a week... We have seen roads from Northern Colorado all the way to Seymour, TX... I'm not quite sure what day of the week is, other than the fact that my phone calendar tells me that it is time for Sew & Tell!  LOL

I was honored to be invited to the Pieceable Friends Quilt Guild in Greeley and enjoyed presenting my "trunk" show of "Story Telling Quilts."  What an amazing group of quilters.  They were an attentive and well engaged bunch.  The had some good questions and I was happy to answer them.

As I write this session of Sew & Tell we are in Seymour, TX at the Lazy J Goat Farm.  You may have heard me tell of our visits here... we make them once or twice a year.  Our dear friends were in need of some farm hands so that they could make a trip to care for Jamie's mom who is preparing to leave this world... so we volunteered!  

We have worked along their sides numerous times so the chores such as making sure everyone has food and water and gathering eggs are familiar.  When not "choring" we are working remotely.  I have a corner of the living room set up with my Babylock Jazz.  It is not ideal, but it is only short term.

Dave has a "checkering station" set up on the back patio and is content to work outside starting out in the cooler morning temps. Which are still quite warm in the 70's. :(  

We feel fortunate and blessed to be able to help them in such a way.

So... here's what I have been working on.  The twin-sized Baby's First Year quilt for my customer. It has been quilted!  A wavy all-over lattice grid was quick and easy.

The binding will be a quick job as I will machine finish it.

I have several other small projects that I'll be working on as we continue to live the farm life.  On my agenda are some postcard blocks to finish up the very few travels of this year and some quilted hearts so that I can embellish and decorate by hand when we head home.

You all (I'm in TX, maybe that should be Y'all) had some great Sew & Tell projects, but Nancy's entry in the party was the randomly selected winner.  She showed off a collection of "Little Quilts" that she quilted up for customer, Missy.  Each one is lovely and has a unique quilting design.  Nancy showed us pictures of the backings as well as the detail of the quilting she did.  If you missed it, hop on over and take a look!

All of these mini quilts are a part of a monthly subscription from Laundry Basket Quilts.  I have seen several monthly subscriptions but have never purchased one.

The closest I have come is a block of the month.   The only ones I have ever paid for were when I first started quilting... Waaaaaaaaaaay back when... it was a local thing and only cost $5 for the first month, and then $1 for subsequent months if you brought back the previous month's completed block.

Have you ever purchased a monthly subscription box?

Where was it from?

What sort of things were included?

Do you feel it was "worth it?"

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you.

Keep piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

Patchwork & Quilts 

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Pieces of My Life ~ Small Spool & Wrench

 

Welcome back to Pieces of My Life. We have two blocks featured this time...  Another spool (a small one this time - 6" finished) and a classic, the (monkey) wrench.

The memory book page for the spool takes us back to our childhood with questions like "Did you ever learn to knit or sew?" and "Who taught you?"

Well... obviously I know how to sew since I quilt.  I have shared snippets of this story before about how I learned as a young girl when I participated in 4-H.  I learned to knit (and crochet) as well.  You can see pictures of my projects from 1977 by clicking on the link above.

My Mom had the plan to sign me up for sewing and have one of the 4-H leaders teach me.  That leader called Mom and explained that she had several other girls she had to teach, and she had only one machine for them to use... She stated, "I need you to teach Melva since you already know how to sew."

I made a blue, gingham checked skirt for my main project.  I'm sure there were a few other practice projects, but at this moment, I can't recall what they were.  Probably an apron and a drawstring bag.  Somewhere in the deep "archives" I still have the project book and have pulled it out several times as a reference when teaching someone to sew.

I learned to knit from the Mom of a friend ~ Mrs. Piquette.  She was a brave soul to take on five or six giggling girls as she taught us how to cast on, knit and purl.  I am still in touch with several of the gals that were in that class, including Karen, daughter of Mrs. Piquette.  

Another question included is "did you have a special quilt or blanket?".  I have an embroidered nursery rhyme quilt that my Grandma Teegarden made.  I had it on my bed from the time that I can first remember until I was married.  Considering the fact that it is 55 years+ old, and used for nearly 20 years, it is in excellent condition.

My brother had a matching one with blue fabric, rather than pink as the sashing strips.  I don't know where it might be or if he still has it.

One last question that I'll include in this story... "What's the hardest thing you have ever done?" accompanies the Wrench block.

There have been many hard seasons and lessons throughout life.

One of the most difficult things was losing our first baby.  We had announced to our families at Thanksgiving in 1986 that we were expecting.  We had included this news in our Christmas cards that year as well.  Sadly, just days before Christmas, at about 13 weeks, I had some bleeding.  Shortly later, a D&C was required.  I shared in the Diamond Solitaire newsletter story about Dave buying me a diamond pendant necklace for us to remember that first child.  

These raw feelings were recently brought to the surface when we learned that one of our daughters was experiencing the same loss.

The other "hardest thing" was standing by his side and watching Dave as he left his job of 18-1/2 years.  It had become a large part of his identity.  At the same time, the death of my Dad as well as the loss my part-time income as a daycare provider.  It. Was. Alot!  That was 11-1/2 years ago.  It was a difficult time in a dark valley, but as is almost always the case, we grew.  We now place our identity in Christ, rather than in what we do, and we have a greater appreciation for where we are now as a successful self-employed couple.  From day one we placed God as the CEO of our business and give all glory for each success, job completed, and bill paid to Him. 

Our philosophy is this... "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord" ~ Colossians 3:23

We have said for years that God's math is a little like common core math.  It doesn't make sense to us.  We learned to trust that there is always enough.  Not only enough, but usually a little extra... and that the opposite of more is not less... it is enough.

It's time for you to grab the Small Spool and Wrench patterns in my payhip store.  I look forward to seeing your completed blocks when you come back to join the block parade.

These two blocks will complete Section III of the Quilt As You Go or asymmetrical layout.  You should use the same layout as Section I.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

Patchwork & Quilts 

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

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Tips are always welcome :)