Odds and Ends

Got back a couple of days ago from a 9 day vacation at the beach- oh it is so hard coming back! I will be posting some photos in the next couple of days.

In the meantime, here is an apron that daughter made. We just made a pattern from an old apron that we had hanging in the kitchen- she chose contemporary fabrics and put a ruffle at the bottom and made a completely modern fashion statement! Older sister "helps" her model it- Look out Vanna White!!!

A new feature that I've added to my website is a "gallery" page, with some artwork that I have done over the past couple of years. I haven't had time to paint much lately, as I have been doing a lot more quilting, and I sure do miss it. If you'd like to go to the gallery page, click here. I'm really hoping to work on a new painting project or two in the near future....

Heirlooms

Another quilt in the Winterthur collection. Made in England by professional embroiderers in the 1720s, it is embroidered with gold silk thread on cotton. I am fascinated to think about the time that embroiderers spent on this, working long, long hours, probably often with insufficient lighting. I wonder if their eyes and back and fingers hurt? Certainly difficult work, but beautiful results. And I'm sure those working on this never would have imagined that their work would end up in a museum almost 300 years later....
Below, a whitework quilt made and signed by Abigail Horton VanNostrand in 1809. Remember- always sign your work!

Working Like a Dog....

It is getting a little crazy around here (again)- so much to try to keep up with... sometimes I feel like all I do is work... It is hard when your workspace is at home because the work is just always there... not like working at an office or a store which you can leave behind when you come home. I do like having a flexible schedule, but lately I feel like I really need to set more boundaries for myself, like setting certain work hours which I will adhere to. It is very easy to work until 9:30 or 10:00 at night... the work in the very next room calls to me... I love doing the creative part of my "job", but when it comes to administration, I am much less enthusiastic. Still, I am really glad that I get to make my own hours, even though sometimes I feel like I am working like a dog... I find the term "work like a dog" really humorous- I mean, if you saw the way my dog lives, you would WISH you were a dog (or my dog anyway)- haha! I guess she does do a good job of keeping the terrifying bunny rabbits and horrifying mocking birds under control in the yard- and for that I am so grateful!

Meet Me in the Garden

Photos from our trip to Winterthur Museum and Garden last week. I took the squirrel and ladybug photos, daughter took the rest. I love Winterthur, it is really beautiful and well kept and there is no shortage of photo opportunities! I always leave there inspired!


God's Garden

THE Lord God planted a garden
In the first white days of the world,
And He set there an angel warden
In a garment of light enfurled.

So near to the peace of Heaven,
That the hawk might nest with the wren,
For there in the cool of the even
God walked with the first of men.

And I dream that these garden-closes
With their shade and their sun-flecked sod
And their lilies and bowers of roses,
Were laid by the hand of God.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,--
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.

For He broke it for us in a garden
Under the olive-trees
Where the angel of strength was the warden
And the soul of the world found ease.

Dorothy Frances Gurney

More Antique Quilts

Two more quilts from the exhibit we went to at Winterthur Museum about 2 years ago. Unfortunately, I do not have information about these regarding where or when they were made. I think it is interesting, though, the colors used- browns, pinks, Wedgewood (robin's egg) blue, some muted reds- do they seem familiar, like colors that have been popular in home decor over the last couple of years?This one is just stunning- reminds me of an intricate tile mosaic. I would never have the patience to tackle a project like this- but I sure do appreciate the lady(ies) who did, wonderful color choices and workmanship.

I particularly like the motifs in this one, and I like the colors. And of course, the hand quilting.
Have a good weekend- maybe you will spend a little of it creating a future heirloom??

20th Anniversary

Oh my, who is that very young couple.... How is it that 20 years can seem to fly by, and yet seem like forever... at the very same time....

Here's to everyday routine and occasional adventures, and joy and tears, and of course a lot of love and laughter.... and at least another 20 years....
Love you, hubby.

Happy Monday- An Award and An Antique Quilt!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Anne-Lise at RagTagBobTail for this award- so very kind of her... Visit her cute sewing blog here.

Daughter and I took a trip to Winterthur Museum and Gardens the other day. It was nice to get outside, it actually wasn't raining! (those of you here on the east coast of the U.S. know what I'm sayin'- has it been wacky weather this spring/early summer or what?) We (and by we, I mean mostly she) took a few photos, but there was not a lot in bloom right now- unfortunately with being very busy and the lousy wet weather, we missed out on the azaleas and peonies a few weeks ago.

So since I have been putting up a lot of garden photos lately, I thought I'd share some photos that I took at Winterthur a couple of years ago when they had a really great exhibit called "Quilts in a Material World." These are photos of a Baltimore Album quilt, made by members of Old Otterbein Church, circa 1854. The colors are brilliant- bright pinks and greens (an inspiration to Lilly Pullitzer, perhaps??) And yes, I was allowed to take photos because the quilt is part of their permanent collection (I wouldn't want you to think I was an outlaw, or something!) Enjoy!









PS- This is why you ALWAYS need to sign and date your work- it may be in a museum some day! I doubt that the ladies at the Old Otterbein Church had any idea that this quilt that they made for their pastor would ever be in a museum- but there it is!!!

Hydrangea Study

I managed to get out at about 7 am the other day to take a few photos. I never got past the hydrangea bush... The early morning light was luminous and I just kept snapping away... revealing numerous facets of a single bush...Baby praying mantis in the upper left of the flower... I read somewhere that they are voracious eaters and will canibalize each other...I know... lovely, right?...
I think this might be my favorite photo that day, I just like the light.

A dried blossom from last year.

Another "resident".... I had a hard time focusing, I think I finally used the manual focus.... but maybe it's time to invest in another lens for the camera.

"And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:28-34