Hanna's First Year - Friday Finished Top

I have a Friday Finish... um, of sorts.  I have Hanna's First Year Quilt all together and with borders!  

I have sandwiching, quilting and binding to do for it to be fully finished, but this week, at this time, at this place... I believe in celebrating baby steps, or phases/stages. 

I have a couple other projects I need to turn my focus to over the weekend..  like a little squirrel project that popped up.

We have been doing a few small projects in the camper as we continue to make it "our own."  Since we turned the mattress in the sleeping area, the closet door wouldn't open.  We like having the bed in the position that it is but losing that storage space for our clothing (and not having a messy, open bag laying there, was really felt.

We took the closet door off, removed the rod and installed two shelves... This will allow for the space below the window to stay a bit tidier. 😊

We decided that a curtain to close it off was needed.

I will add a row of Double Flying Geese near the bottom of the closet curtain so that it matches the window coverings.

I'll be doing some meal planning and prep as well.  We are off for another great camping adventure.  We'll return to the Alvarado Campground in the National Forest a few hours from home.

We are just entering the best part of camping season!  Not too hot, not too cold, and less crowded (especially during the week now that school is back in session).  We'll be adding three more blocks (4 if you count the sign/location block) to our Camping Journal Quilt.  

Since I have been making our camping journal quilt, I find that I really pay attention to smaller details to possibly include.  We don't always have a wildlife sighting, or major landmark to include so sometimes I have to be creative.  And I don't want to have a campfire and aspen trees for every trip so some creativity is needed... But that's the fun of it!

If I get time after the closet curtain, I'll try to get Hanna's quilt sandwiched.  Come back on Monday for Sew & Tell to see if I get it accomplished. :)

What are you doing over the weekend?

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

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Pieces in the Garden - Wedding Ring Day - Block #8

 “Bride’s Quilt”

Once upon a time, there was a little girl, who wore a bow in her hair. When she grew up, she began a friendship with a young bachelor. As the hours and days passed, they began to look at each other with stars in their eyes, and as their love grew, they thought about taking steps to the altar. So, the young girl got out her spools of thread and made clothes to get ready for their wedding ring day.

After they are married, some of their times together will be bright as noon and others will be dark as night.  But they will try to share their happiness, their miseries and their chores – she grabbing a wrench to help with household repairs and he grabbing a towel to help with the dishes.  Sometimes they will have broken dishes, but they will try to remember that “things” can be replaced, whereas harsh words, possibly spoken about the broken dishes, could chip away love.  They will try to follow the Golden Rule as they are learning to communicate openly with each other.

They will also try to keep in mind the symbolism of Jacob’s ladder – “steps of communication” between themselves on earth and God in heaven.

*********************

Please join me for a cup of tea as we have a session of "She Says, He Says" about their wedding day.

Grandma, tell me about your wedding day.  When and where did you get married.  Did you wear a special dress?  Where did you get your dress?

We were married on September 19, 1935. Reverend Hints married us at 418 Kansas Street in Trinidad, CO.  My dress was a cinnamon crepe dress.  I bought my dress at Mose's Drygoods store in town.  I think it cost around $7.  

My best friend, Anna May bought a black dress but her mom wouldn't let her wear it.  My sister, Marie, decorated with yellow tulle and flowers.  Auntie Bob and Forrie's mom made cakes.  We were supposed to join right hands, but Forrie being left-handed, stuck out his left hand.  Everyone giggled.

Grandpa, tell me about your wedding day.  When and where did you get married?  Who married you?  Was anyone else in the wedding?

We were married at 418 Kansas Street in Trinidad on September 19, 1935.  Tressie's sister, Marie, was living there.  The fireplace was decorated with yellow tulle and flowers.  Reverend Hints married us.  My mother made one cake and my sister, "Auntie Bob", made a cake.

Russell Morris was my best man.  Anna May Threlkeld was Tressie's maid of honor.  

We went to Monte Vista and spent the night.

 

There were two newspaper articles that confirmed the details they both recalled of their special day were, indeed, mostly accurate - with the exception that the bride's maid did wear a black crepe dress (trimmed with flesh colored crepe).

If Grandpa had given her a special ring for each anniversary celebration they had, she would have at least three of them... possibly four.  (Remember, Karri mentioned that Grandma did love to entertain, and be entertained.)

They had a 30th (perhaps their 35th) celebration in Tucson with their friends in the Camera Club...

They had a ruby celebration for their 40th...

They had a golden celebration for their 50th...  and it was a "Tea!"  How appropriate 😉 Tressie had wanted to have a ceremony to renew their vows, but Forrest was absolutely against it.  Haha!

And a diamond jubilee for their 60th with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren present...

Using birthstones as the inspiration for each block, I pieced 16 rings to complete this row of my Garden Row Quilt... A sort of family ring 😀

Bottom row, L-R:  TT's birthday, FET's birthday, September's stone for their marriage, daughter Carol, son Forrie , grandson Kelvin, granddaughter Kim, granddaughter Melva

Top row, L-R:  granddaughter Kodi, granddaughter Karri, Great-granddaughter Heather, Great-granddaughter Rebecca, Great-great-grandson Tyshan, GGGD Emma, GGGD Maggie, GGGD Hanna (Note:: There are six more great-grands and many great-great-grands, but I only had so much room.)

Forrest & Tressie left quite the legacy... er, garden!  

How's your garden growing?  Here's a look at mine... 

In the northern hemisphere of the world, gardeners are in the midst of "harvest season"... so here I am with some directions on assembling your rows.

There will be a total of at least 15 rows (if you are making all of the bonus blocks too).  You will need 14 horizontal sashing strips, 1-1/2" wide and 48-1/2" long) between the rows.  NOTE::  It is important to cut them to this specific length to help in keeping the quilt as straight and "square" as possible.  Because the length of the rows and the varying sizes of the blocks (as well as the size of the pieces making up the blocks), some rows can be a little more "springy" than others.  

It is best to choose a fabric that is wider than the standard 42/44" width, to avoid having a seam in the strip (1 yard will be an ample amount of fabric).  OR you can purchase 1-1/2 yards and cut the strips on the length of fabric, 1-1/2" x 48-1/2". 

Mark the center of the sashing strip by folding in half and pressing a crease.  Pin that center crease at the center of the row, pin each end of the strip to the ends of the row.  Easing in, if necessary, pin into place the remainder of the block seams to the strip.  The sashing strip will help to stabilize the rows and help keep everything lying flat when you are ready to sandwich the quilt.

Dave and recently celebrated our 37th anniversary... We never had a real honeymoon, and we haven't had any special celebrations for any of our big anniversaries.  With the exception of renewing our vows on our 13th anniversary.  (I know... weird year to celebrate, but there was logic and reason behind it. 😙)

We had planned on taking a cruise for our 20th anniversary... it was put off because we opted to take a family vacation to tour Gettysburg and DC.  No regrets!  We made so many memories and had some pretty special times.

We had thought we might make the cruise for our 25th... nope!  We chose to take our daughters to Las Vegas to celebrate their college graduations - Heather with a Bachelor of Science degree with a double minor and Becca with her Associates of Art and Applied Science Degrees (she was then ready to enroll in the PTA program).

And then we were empty nesters... so did we really need a vacation away from our children?  Haha!  No not really.

My parents celebrated their 25th anniversary with Tressie and Forrest and their 50th when family gathered at the VA Nursing Home that my Dad resided for his final years on earth.  It was a marvelous celebration with many family members present to celebrate with them.  It was a celebration that Mom had looked forward to for many years... even as a young girl before she ever knew Dad. 💕

I get that all marriages are healthy and happy, and that many marriages don't survive some difficult challenges.  But... for those that do... Celebrate.  And CELEBRATE BIG! 🎊

Have you ever had a big anniversary celebration?  

Have you ever helped a close family or friend celebrate?

Share some details in the comments...  I'd love to hear from you!

Grab your free pattern and then come back to link up for the parade of wedding rings and a chance to win a prize package from Cornerstone Tea Company.  If you simply want to make a purchase from Stephanie, you can get a 25% discount by using LEGACYOFLOVE when you check out (free shipping for orders over $30 too!).  

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at True Blue Quilts

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Wordy Wednesday

This is one of those times that I share some of the deep thoughts that I have been pondering and considering for weeks and have finally decided that I needed to share... (can you tell that I have returned to actually quilting in my studio?)

It all started a few weeks ago while were camping mid-July... as I sat in our campsite and considered our surroundings and how it we take in all of God's creation with our senses...

Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste...

Taste & see that the Lord is good ~ Psalm 34:8... or as it says in The Message, "Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—

    how good God is."

I marveled as I considered that This IS my Father's World...

Watching the tall grass as it danced in a gentle breeze...

The sound of the wind in the tall pines and the rustling of aspen leaves as they flutter and have a sort of shimmer in the light of the warm sun and make the shadows dance...

The color of the wildflowers as they co-mingle with the tall grasses and appear as a sort of artists pallet with every color of the rainbow present...

The slightly prickly texture of pinecones as you hold one in your hand... each cone, like snowflakes, unique in shape and size...

The smell of the morning with fresh dew on the grass and the intricate spiderweb so delicately woven...

I have recently been reading a series of books by Beverly Lewis.  There was a dialogue between two characters (a mother figure, Leah, to her youngest sister, Lydiann) ...

"Leah was aware, once again, of the birds' exhilarating song.   "Did you ever hear this verse from the Good Book? 'The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come...'?"

"Can't say I have.  Where'd you hear it?"

"Mamma told it to me once.  She loved to listen to the birds, 'specially early in the morning."

"Lydiann's eyes suddenly looked bluer.  "What else did Mamma love?"

"That's easy.  She loved YOU.  I wish you could remember her carryin' you here and there... hopin' you'd grow up to respect the land and listen for the song of nature all round you. Mamma enjoyed the birds and the way the sky could paint itself all kinds of colors.  She saw the Lord God clearly in all of His creation."

The verse Leah was referring to can be found in the Song of Songs 2:12...  I especially love the way The Message translation puts it...

Spring flowers are in blossom all over.

    The whole world’s a choir—and singing!

Spring warblers are filling the forest

    with sweet strains.

Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed,

    and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms.

Just this morning (AND yesterday afternoon as I was getting Hanna's First year quilt on the design wall) I was drawn back to the idea of creation and Psalm 139:13-16 came to mind...  again, in The Message translation - 

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

    you formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

    I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

    you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

    before I’d even lived one day.

I cannot, nor do I really want to, shake the deep desire in my heart to worship. After months of staying home on Sunday mornings and worshipping together in our manner, we both felt that it was time to return to a corporate worship.  We chose to go to a church that we had left about 3 years ago because of a conflict with another couple.  We were pleasantly surprised at the kindness and welcomes extended to us as we were noticed... even by the couple we had the conflict with.  Not to say that it wasn't at least a little awkward, but I see some hope that we may find a place in a local church

I have rambled on long enough. I need to get back to my machine... after all, Hanna's quilt is my August One Month Goal... I hear it calling me!

Not everyone may have a faith or belief as I do, but who can deny that there is a Creator?  

What part of Creation/Nature do you love most?  

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

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Overflowing with Thankfulness at All4Boys

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Monday Morning Sew & Tell

Hey everyone!  Thanks for stopping by for this week's session of Sew & Tell. 

 

Last week I wasn't overly busy ambitious, but I did make progress on the two projects I had in my plans.  BUT... forward progress is still progress. 😁

I started out with the distraction and desire to work on the appliqued blocks for our Camping Journal Quilt... I have learned that sometimes you just have to do what you really WANT to do in order to better focus on what SHOULD be done.  (I don't recommend this theory for all things in life, but when it comes to quilting... it is the best theory for me!) 

These were now out of my mind and I was feeling especially pleased with how my idea came to fruition.  I used a pattern from a 2018 block of the month, adjusted the size and shape of the trailer and added the truck camper.  I'll try to not strain my arm as I pat myself on the back for a job well done.  LOL!  Considering my feelings on applique a few years ago... I have come a LOOOOOOOOOONG way, baby!

With my mind ready to focus on Hanna's baby shirts I sorted and started trimming.  In a very short time, I had all of the special graphics "harvested"... I set them aside to contemplate a layout for it, and turned my attention to the memory bear...  After stabilizing the t-shirt, I started cutting out the various pattern pieces.

It was about that time that I got a message from our daughter telling me that she had just located a few more items that should be included in the quilt.  After my suggestion that she mail them to me, she decided that one last trip for the kids before they start school this was in order.

This meant that both projects would be on "hold."  I'm not complaining though!  The few hours we get to spend with them are always fun.  Exhausting, but fun!

Auntie Beck came along which meant, just like in Red River, there were 4 adults and 4 children... one a piece!  Haha!  That is the best possible ratio to handle the activities.  Mind you, the kids tend to have their favorite "go to" person, depending on the situation.

Need a snack?  Well, depending on the snack they are searching for... ask Grandpa or Grandma.  Need to know where their shoes are?  Ask Mom, because Mom ALWAYS knows where they were taken off.  Need a snuggle or hug?  Or help with an "art" project?  Seek Auntie Becca or Grandma.  

Oh, and when you get the message that they are on their way but forgot their "pool bag"... Grandma and Grandpa make a quick run to the store and raid the clearance racks for deeply discounted suits for everyone.  Haha!

So... this week I will move forward with both of those projects and more...

❧  With the hopes of finishing that bear 🤞

❧  Get the baby's first quilt top at least to point of being ready for borders.

❧  Finish final details of Row 8 in the Pieces in the Garden Sew Along story and pattern release.  The Spool pattern is still available at no cost, it is super quick and easy to piece together... AND you still have time to link up for a chance to get in the drawing for the prize drawing (which is a lovely selection of teas from Stephanie at Cornerstone Tea Company).  

❧  Finish my National Sewing Month blog hop project.  There are still a few slots available for the hop.  Send me an email if you want to join in!  Details can be found by clicking on the link here in this paragraph or on the tab at the top of the page.  

Last week there were six readers that linked up for the Sew & Tell.  Melisa over at Pinker 'n' Punkin Quilting shared her progress on a small busy bee quilt that is just adorable!  

And Deb was having a good time with a few scrappy quilts...

What do YOU have to share this week?  Link up with the party... a blog post isn't even necessary!  You can link with Instagram and facebook too!

Join the fun!  

Keep piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

To Do Tuesday at Texas Quilt Gal

Thursday's Thoughts and Thanks - August 11

Yesterday Dave and I celebrated our 37th anniversary.  

It was an ordinary day... we had breakfast, he worked in his shop, I was in my studio, made a grocery shopping trip... made lunch and dinner and we went for a walk at a park in town with the plan that we would let our dog swim in the pond to cool off.

Nothing too exciting... yet knowing that 37 years ago (that's 324,120 hours and 13,514 days) we became Mr. & Mrs. Nolan we both recalled so many memories!  This is what I said on my private fb account...

37 years of "I do"... I STILL do and will love you until the moment I pass from this existence to the next, and then I will find you again and love you some more.

It seems as though it was just yesterday, yet, at the same time, an eternity. We have grown up together... and have soooo many memories. The good, the hard, the fun and games and even the not-so-fun times... all with the guidance of God, have shaped us and made us who we are. Let's make more memories! 

💝  I'm blessed to have such an amazing guy!  He never questions my purchases or choices for dinner. (Though some are preferred more than others. LOL!)

I have wanted to plant basil in my little herb garden for a few years... yesterday while in the produce section I found a sad looking basil plant that was marked down.  I felt the soil and decided that a little water would perk up the plant right quick.  It jumped into my cart and off we went. 

After picking off the wilted leaves and giving it a splash of water, it looks MUCH better!

When Dave saw it on the counter he asked, "are you growing you own salad?"  Haha.  Funny guy.  He also asked if I was planting it in the herb garden by his shop... Now he gets it!  He knows me well enough to know that I don't let anything go to waste.  He may not enjoy the pesto sauce that I have plans to make, but I will enjoy my personal chicken & pesto pizzas at lunch once again.  

💝  In my devotional time I was in Hebrews and came across this little phrase - "God had a better plan"... It goes along with Jeremiah 29:11.  I considered this phrase and thought of how we long for a church home that loves God, follows Jesus and wants to have an outreach to the community we live in.  Worldwide ministry is all good and much needed, but if you support only ministries around the world, what happens to your own community?  

Dave and I have been praying that our heart would soften toward our community.  And it is happening... slowly.  But it is easy to fall back in the pit of complaints... just like yesterday as we walked in the park and observed some children treating a volleyball net as a jungle gym and the Mom talking on her phone, ignoring all that they were doing, we said "and this is why we can't have anything nice in town."  

Obviously, we need to keep praying!  I have also added to our prayer that we could find a church home that is a good "fit"... all while reminding myself that God has a better plan... one that we can't see or understand just yet.

💝  On a completely different topic... I haven't purchased fabric for my stash, or "just because" for YEARS!  However, this morning while scrolling through Instagram I saw a post about using African Wax print fabric for clothing.  I am SOOOOOOOO, so tempted to purchase some.  I did a quick search on amazon and discovered a good selection of them... and they are a very reasonable price!

I haven't added anything to the cart yet, but I have the tab left open in my browser.  In my mind I need to have a purpose for the purchase.  Some of the yard goods would make another beautiful quilt... similar to the one I made in 2015.

The fat quarters could make a fun scrappy quilt... but again, I need to justify the purchase in my mind.  

Hmmmm... what's a girl to do?  

I better get distracted with a current project and stop daydreaming about the possibilities.  THAT's what I need to do.  I have plenty to do... like the Baby's first year quilt for Hanna.

What would YOU make?  

Give me your ideas... maybe some of that fabric will jump into the cart like my basil plant did.

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Thankful Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Overflowing with Thankfulness at All4Boys

Monday Morning Sew & Tell - August 8, 2022

Good morning! And welcome to this week's Sew & Tell... a chance to show off the progress you made on a project over the weekend.

Last week Jocelyn shared a finish, perhaps a UFO, since it was labeled Dirty Dozen #10.  It is a scrappy project and featured fabric with some Frozen characters.  I, personally, love Olaf. ⛄

We thoroughly enjoyed our time camping.  Our friends, however, were unable to make it.  They had a family situation that kept them from joining us.  Alas, we will do it another time!

We were near Rye, Colorado.  It is a tiny little community near Lake Isabel in the National Forest and Bishop Castle. The campground was a little snug... so much so that we were able to watch the movie our neighbors were enjoying outside their camper!  There were a number of sites vacant in the area we were staying and thought it was ridiculous that they would have needed to "cancel" our reservations (with a fee) and make new reservations.  We stayed put... but still.  Never mind that most of the vacant sites were vacant for the entire time we were there. 🙍

There weren't any trails to hike that left directly from the campground, but we did venture down to Lake Isabel and walked all the way around the lake.  It was interesting... the signage indicated that a handicapped accessible path was available all the way around.  We would beg to differ... not that we needed it but imagine how frustrating it would be to someone really needing it only to discover it was not the case.

We enjoyed the spacious camper.  It rained for much of that afternoon, and we were pleased to discover that the rain sound was not nearly as noisy in the fifth-wheel as it was in the truck camper.  

We enjoyed the down time as we both spent time reading, Dave played his guitar, and I sewed two blocks for the camping journal quilt.  Both of these blocks will represent our July camping trip.

The view as we approached the campground

I don't think I told you this story from that trip... We were sitting there one evening and a young couple came by, looking hesitant about whether or not they were "allowed" to walk up into the equestrian camping area that we were staying in.  Dave assured them that it was ok and that the view of the valley was really worth the short walk.

They continued walking and then suddenly the young lady came rushing back, out of breath and clearly shaken up.    He soon followed behind her (with their dog on leash) and told us that they had seen a bear cross the road in front of them.  So... I made a bear block with an orange sunset.  We were there three nights and I need to work on the last one. :)  It will be an applique block with a truck and camper to represent our last trip (probably) with that camper. 

Back to this trip... After our neighbor's movie was over, we slept well.  We were not disturbed by the overnight visitors that were checking out the nearby dumpsters.  Thankfully, they had been properly latched and they moved on.  The only evidence of them being present were the fresh tracks in the soft dirt.

Guess what sort of block I will make for these?  If you guessed Bear Paw blocks, you are correct!

We made a visit to the castle just up the road - Bishop Castle.  It has been a work in progress for a long, long time (50ish years?).  The owner has battled the government for years... yet people still stop by to see this unique attraction.

The afternoon was another lazy one as we enjoyed the outdoors... again, reading, sewing, playing guitar and singing. :)  Life is good!

Now that we are home and feeling more confident and at peace with the purchase of the camper and all the work we put into it getting it ready, we are ready to return to our regularly scheduled routine.

This week I will be working on a few items...

❧ The first will be my August One Month Goal quilt.  It is a Baby's First Year quilt for our grand-daughter, Hanna

❧ The other item I'll be focused on is a Memory Bear.  A friend of mine has asked that I make several from some pieces of clothing that had belonged to her Mom.  

I thought I had a pattern... In fact, I KNOW I had a pattern because I have made one before, but, for whatever reason, I am unable to find it now.  

What did you do over the weekend?  

Leave a comment telling me what you have been working on... or a link to your blog (even an instagram or facebook link will work!).  I'd love to hear from you. 

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

To Do Tuesday at Texas Quilt Gal

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Stitch Sew & Show at Life in the Scrap Patch