I do Windows

I interrupt my window washing to bring you this post...

My finished "Girl Friend" quilt using the pippi longstocking block.  Here we are:  Nancy, Pauline, me and Norma (who has been known to color her hair for various holidays).

 I used this sweet backing filled with all of life's good things.  This was a gift for Pauline who will be spending a month with family in England.  We'll miss you!

To make your own pippi block,  follow the great tutorial here.  I wish I knew about this before I made mine.  Luckily I have an advanced degree in liberated quilting, ha ha.

The other day I shared this quilt on IG.  Olympic Eagles  or Obama for President which was it's original title.  The Vermont Quilt Festival made me change it to avoid political opinions, but rewarded me with a blue ribbon.

I quilted it exactly as it was shown in the pattern.

 I used a bark colored thread.

You can read more about this quilt here.  I made it before I started blogging.

I found the pattern in this book which was given to me by my friend, Mary.

I checked Amazon and there are 25 used books available.

Windows....No one like to wash them, but it is so nice when they are clean.

Here is my recipe, which I learned from a professional years ago.

 Fill half a bucket of warm water, then add a small squirt of Joy.  Joy is the secret - see that wine glass on the label?  Crystal Clear.

I use micro-fiber wipes and a foam sponge to clean the window.  I go over twice, wringing the wipe (I use 2, one in the bucket 1 in my hand). I use a squeegee from the top down, wiping off the dirty water with a dry cloth.

Change the water often and do the inside of the window first, then the outside, which is dirtier.

I keep my supplies on my step  chair and move them from room to room - I only do 1 room a day so I still have sewing time.

As part of my spring cleaning, I decided to try a minimalist approach to the family room mantel.

I asked Hanna what she thought, and she said "it looks sad"....Well, I asked, lol.  I picked up the carved stone owl at Homegoods and the sandpiper at my local consignment shop.  The rocks came from the beach.

I finally got my front urns planted with my favorite combo.

Friday I'll be going to one of the final Performances of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.  It is the end of an era.   I intend to indulge in hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy.

Have a Great week and thanks for stopping by!
xo

Springtime in PA Heaven

Happy Spring!

Do you recognize this gal?   It is my first attempt at the Pippilongstocking block that I saw on IG.   I wish I knew who to give credit to for this cute free pieced block.

Thank you to all my new and old friends at Calico Cutters Quilt Guild, Brandywine Valley Quilters and Penn Oak Quilters.  I had such a good time visiting your groups!

Kelly, of Pinkadot Quilts,  was my hostess and driver and I could not have done this trip without her support and help (and coffee). We  managed to steal a few minutes to play with some of her swap blocks.

 Did I mention she has the best kitchen I've ever seen?  the best.  I'm so glad I accidentally made all the swap blocks finish at 4 inches so they can go together.

After my workshop and programs I was treated to an afternoon at Longwood Gardens.  It is a life's dream and I plant to return soon!

Here are some highlights - red and yellow catch a fellow.

This is a living green wall - amazing!

I have a real fascination with Bonsai.  some of these are over 100 years old!

 The silver room in the conservatory - this is for Kathy S. in Illinois.

Hanna is a nut for catus.  They are so big right now in home dec.

what a fabulous display in the gift shop.

With spring the flannel sheets are off and the beds sport new quilts. 

 Mr Starbuck always takes the opportunity to sit on a pile of softness - what a princess.

Have a Great Week!
xo

The Big Rooster Reveal

All Cooped Up

I machine appliqued the rooster and year.  It is machine quilted.  I lost my coin :(   I was going to sew it on.  I may turn up one day.
Here is the back

Thanks Two Thimbles for hosting a really fun challenge.   Lori is having a linky party if you want to see more.

Thank you all so much for your kind comments and emails.  It really gave me courage this week and I'm grateful to be part of such a supportive community.  I received these beautiful flowers from my family.  (you can see my new counters, range and sink, sort of)

At the AQS show in Lancaster my friends and I bought THE BEST NEW LIGHT - EVER.  It is a slimline light from Daylightcompany.com 

 With it off

Aaahh, that's better.

I love that it doesn't obstruct my view of the awesome things that I'm sewing.  (okay, well I'm not sewing anything here, lol)

You can see in this un-retouched photo on a very dark and rainy day that my work area is lit up perfectly.  You may want to ask for the "show special" if you want to order one.  You never know, they may honor it.

I hung this fun quilt today because we're celebrating my son, Andrew's, birthday tonight.  I made it in 1996 which was is golden Birthday turning 7 on april 7th and it was Easter Sunday.  The eggs are gold lame' - now that's 90s for you!

I'm hitting the road again next doing
Tues 4/11 - 9am workshop (full)
Lecture and Trunk Shows:
Tues 4/11 - 7pm - Brandywine Valley Quilters 
Weds 4/12 - 10am - Calico Cutters

xo

In Memoriam

My Dear Mary passed away Saturday Night.  I will miss her more than she'll ever know.   She has been such an important part of my personal and quilting life.  Today would have been her 87th Birthday.

After moving to the east coast, we enjoyed a nearly yearly visit in Illinois.  

 At the AQS show in Paducah to see my Jubilee quilt 2015.

in NYC at the Red & White exhibit

My Last photo taken on a visit in October with our Alice Payne Quilts.

I took this secret photo on that visit.  We loved to sit and look through and discuss quilt books together.

I made the Sparrow quilt in memory of my Mother, Cathy.  It was Mary's idea to the sparrow make it a moniker of my work.    So, you see, getting the tattoo was a tribute to these special women.

If you missed it in my last post, here is the sparrow story along with the tattoo photo.

The Sparrow 
by:  Paul Simon

Who will love a little Sparrow
Who’s traveled far and cries for rest?
“Not I,” said the Oak Tree
“I won’t share my branches with no sparrow’s nest
And my blanket of leaves won’t warm her old breast”

Who will love a little Sparrow
And who will speak a kindly word?
“Not I, “ said the Swan
“The entire idea is utterly absurd
I’d be laughed at and scorned if the other Swans heard”

And who will take pity in his heart,
And who will feed a starving Sparrow?
“Not I,” said the Golden Wheat
“I would if I could, but I cannot, I know
I need all my grain to prosper and grow”

Who will love a little Sparrow?
Will no one write her eulogy?
“I will, “ said the Earth
“For all I’ve created returns unto me
From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be”

Being Mary's friend has been a gift and privilege.

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard" - winnie the pooh

God Speed Mary until we meet again.

xo