Books, Vintage Linens & Sew & Tell - 2/16/2026

The house is quiet... after the frenzy of Dave preparing to leave on a hunting camping trip with three other guys.  Preparation for a trip can be busy, and he gets a little overwhelmed with trying to focus on what needs to be done and what he would rather be doing. We both suffer from that syndrome.  LOL! Technically it is a hunting trip.  He paid for a license and is taking all that he needs to take along.

I, admittedly, was a little disappointed that he left with the camper without me.  He did politely invite me, saying I could be the camp cook.  I politely declined guessing that at least two of the four would not be pleased to have a woman in-tow.  I would grow tired of their antics and language as well.  So... the house is pleasantly quiet for 1 week. :)

I enjoyed seeing everyone's items shared in the Sew & Tell party as well as the visits to each link as I read the thoughts and stories from the various authors.  This week's feature is from Cheree at Lively Latte.  Cheree has jumped onto the Patriotic-250th USA Birthday Celebration wagon.  

Her Star Spangled quilt is just the first she has planned for the year.  I love the colors and fabrics that give it a rustic and traditional look.  You can visit her blog to see what she has planned for the next patriotic quilt.

As Dave was in a frenzy and distracted mode I was in my own little world as I listened to Caddie Woodlawn.  It is a childhood classic and Newberry Medal winner.  The story of a young girl in the late 1800s as she was allowed to run with her brothers and be a tomboy to her heart's content.  I enjoyed the stories of her adventures and mishaps with her brothers.  As well as a gentle turn toward the end as she decided that behaving as a girl might not be so bad.  Sorry if I give way too much... but I loved that her brothers decided that learning some girl stuff, like cooking, cleaning and even quilting wasn't so bad and still afforded them time with their sister that they loved so much.  It is based on the life of the author's grandmother (maybe great grand?)... perhaps that is why I enjoyed it so much!

Hurricane Season was the story of two sisters... one a single mom, the other with no children because of the painful journey of infertility.  It was about taking the time in life to find the correct path in life for YOU... not always taking the path that would please others.  It was about healing and it was about reconciliation... it was about communication and honesty and understanding.

I thought I had the storyline figured out very early in the book... the sister with children dropped her children off at the farm of the sister with no children... for just 2 weeks.  which then turned into 8 weeks!  Given the title of the book, I thought someone was going to die during a hurricane or that the mother of the children was going to end up abandoning her children to follow her dream career... 

I'm glad I had mis-assumed the scenarios that I had conjured up!  I enjoyed the book and had fun (once again) selecting fabrics for the block.

As I enjoyed these books I puttered away in the studio.  I tried a few more variations on the mini-heart blocks that I shared last week in my Wordy Wednesday post.  None were stellar, but worth the effort to see what works and what does not.  I have several weeks before I need to have that finalized pattern worked up for the Little House Sampler Sew Along.  

But that star block???  That one is worth keeping and happens to be coming up later this week with the release on the 19th for the second pattern that accompanies the Little House on the Prairie book.  

I finished my second LH Sampler quilt a few weeks ago... is it too late to replace the star block in the sampler quilt with this star?  I'll ponder this and let you know what I decide.  It certainly wouldn't be the first time I've done such a crazy thing!  

Have you seen the Maple leaf blocks from some of the LH Sampler participants?  You still have time to get the block pieced and linked up!  The pattern is free for a few more days. The pattern will be $2 beginning the 19th.  Go grab it now and join the fun!  You will find the link for the pattern when you click the link above in this paragraph.

No blog or social media account to link up?  Send me an email and I will get you linked.  MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com

Remember there is a chance to win prizes with each finished block. (US mailing address only, sorry.)

I eventually grew tired (frustrated) of messing with those hearts and set them aside.  That was when I pulled out a few vintage linens out of the Vintage-Things-I-Keep box.  Then I pulled out of storage a pattern and templates for a crazy quilt and just played.  

I found the pillowcases I was searching for last week(mentioned here)... some of them. I found the little kittens, but there is still another set that had pink and black embroidery on them.  Those are still MIA.  But here's what I have so far.  I have NO idea of what I will do with them.  I'll figure it out eventually... probably add some 16-patch blocks made with leftovers of these CQ blocks and some old aprons from my Mom.  Just how big is that box, you ask?  LOL!

When I shared my crazy dream with you last week, I had I showed you that I had a winter panel ready for quilting... Ta-da!  One of the main reasons I chose it was to be able to practice the FMQ feathers. I didn't want to lose that skill again.

I did some FMQ in the scene, outlined the picket fence, made scallops on the peak of the house, stippling around the ivy, did a twisted ribbon on the vine of the ivy and the narrow border in addition to the peak & valley or zigzag quilting in the frame around the scene.

It was quick, it was easy and an excellent refresher for my FMQ skills.

Don't forget the label!

With Dave gone for the entire week I plan to get some scrapbooking done this week.  I have pictures from 2021 and about 1/2 of 2022.  I'll work on that in the evenings when I can spread everything out in the living room as I enjoy the Olympics. :)

What will I be doing in the quiet of the day?  In the studio?  I don't quite know yet... I have a short list that includes reorganizing and sorting fabric and scraps in the guestroom closet and continuing with the vintage linen blocks... and give my machine a little mani/pedi since the linens seem to create excessive lint.

What are your plans for the week?

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

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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