Best of Times - Worst of Times

What a week!  We celebrated my Birthday and it was so wonderful to have everyone here.  Cheers to 58 Years.

 

Kelly sent me this wonderful book and fabric pack.  I look forward to making something soon.  Isn't that the sweetest gift card?  Kelly painted it herself.

I received gorgeous flowers.

Some really unusual blooms.

My Birthday is the anniversary of our bringing Nutmeg home.  It has been one year and we adore her even though she is spicy.

I received a special candle of Abundance.  You state your intentions for what you want more of in your life and you light it.   It smelled like cinnamon and wood.

After 2 1/2 days, two beautiful crystals are revealed as a keepsake.

Hanna celebrated her Birthday a few days after mine.  David's gift was this unicorn pool.  Silly fun!

David and Hanna also became engaged!  It was low key as you can imagine in the time of covid.  We are thrilled and have felt David is already part of family.  No plans yet.

Hanna is wearing an Opal and Gold ring that David's grandfather made.  Her Diamond Engagement Ring (also made by his grandfather) is in Cincinnati with David's family until they can visit.

It was also a week of the worst of times.  I am journaling some it here for my historial record with no editorial comments.

Everyday was a heartache.  Everyday last week made me question everything about who we are as a country.

I was gladdened to see this humble sign in my privileged white CT shoreline town.   Reassured me that I am not alone.

I did very little sewing which is fine, but I realized that there may be a reason I have stalled on my African fabric project.  A creeping feeling of unease "Cultural Misappropriation".

Cultural Appropriation

"Cultural appropriation, at times also phrased cultural misappropriation, is the adoption of an element or elements of one culture by members of another culture. This can be controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from disadvantaged minority cultures."

So I decided yesterday to clear it from my design wall for now.

Sometimes you just need a fresh start creatively and emotionally and that's okay.  We'll be OKAY.

Thank you to my friends and family for all the well wishes this week for the Birthday Girls and the Betrothed. 

I have so many things to be grateful for during these troubled times.  Among them are you, my blogland community.

Thank You - Stay Well. 

xo

Swap Meet with Janet

Hello!  Last week I took a little break for my Birthday but I'm back a few things to share.

First up, I had a small quilt swap with my friend, Janet of Rogue Quilter.  We've been blog friends for many years now and she always has inspiring posts.

Here is the wonderful quilt I received from Janet.  I LOVE everything about it, especially my Abe.  It is a classic Janet quilt with tiny, precise pieces and beautiful quilting, including....wait for it....hand quilting!  I've hung it in my Hall of Presidents.

She also sent lots of special goodies (and she didn't even know it was my Birthday).  The little pincushion is so sweet it is edible.

 Here is the back.  The Eagle fabric is accidentally upside down.  Given the current state of  political affairs in this country, I find it perfect.  

 Here is the little quilt that I sent to her.  It went on a US tour, but finally arrived yesterday in UT.

 I wanted to do a little applique and hand quilting for her.

The backing is a Jo Morton print and reminded me of her beautiful header which often features sheep.

 I had a nice quiet Birthday on Friday and received funny and beautiful cards.  Also, how cute are those little bird wine glass markers?  They perch just perfectly on the rim - so fun :)

 Mr. Fun and I took a walk down at the sound.  In honor of my 55 B-Day, I built a 5 stone cairn.

 On Saturday I attended Commencement at Goodwin College where my daughter works.  It was so inspiring~ and great to meet her co workers.

 Sneak Peak!  I am planning a future applique project with these colors.  My favorite Pennsylvania pallet.  The book on the floor accidentally landed there and wham!  Inspiration!  I will NOT be making the quilt on the book.....stay tuned......

 This next photo looks just like my inspiration fabrics.   We had a little breakfast party for Hanna's Birthday yesterday.

I am doubling my effort to finish my son's king sized quilt.  We're going to see him on Sunday and it will be done.  Thank goodness for the French Open which is keeping me company in the sewing room.

xo

Summer Sewing Stuff

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome....  Just time for a quick recap of the week.....(from John Oliver's HBO show)

My Center Block on my medallion quilt.  I have all the stems, birds and berries sewn down - yay!!

Last weekend Andrew and Sig came up from NJ and the boys worked on a project together.

You can really sense the brain power here.

 Love to see those power tools in use.

They turned this

Into this - 2 sets of Corn Hole!  wee what fun

I made 16 corn filled bags with duck cloth.  Andrew had 2 themes:  Green & Yellow for John Deer; and Blue and Orange for the Miami Dolphins.

What a great action shot!  The tables still need their paint, but are definitely playable. 

Coco was confused as always.... Silly Pup.

Kelly of Pinkadot sent me this adorable handmade bird pin.

She also sent this fabulous Cowboy themed Toile' - I only need about 6 more yards of this!  Thank you, Kelly.

Pat, from Midland Texas sent me this wonderful tea towel.  When I was there in March I tried to find one.  How sweet of her to think of me and send it.  Thank you Pat.

I am making a Rainbow Heart Quilt for a victim of the Pulse Tragedy.    You can find information here on the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild site if you are interested.  They are taking blocks, quilts, supplies, etc.

And now this......an evening picnic of Chipotle at the beach last night.  Summer zooms by so fast, I'm determined to slow it down a bit.

I love the late day shadows on the sand.  It was low tide so it was fun to watch the kids looking for gifts from the sea.

I'm off to the Vermont Quilt Festival Saturday morning.  If you see me walking around say hello!
xo