Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Dead Lines

When the boys where younger we took them and of course each had a friend to a Civil War reenactment near Camp Sumter in Andersonville, Ga.  In case you did not know the "camp" was one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War.  The amount of time and energy that was used for the reenactment is mind boggling.  After we had our fill of the reenactment we then headed over to the cemetery and the "camp".  Upon first glance you would notice a park like setting with a trickle of a steam running thru it.... that is where the "camp" was located.  My husband and I read and explain to the boys what the conditions where like here at the "camp".  How cramped together the men where, the terrible living conditions, and unfortunately the number of men that did not make it out alive.  It is then .... when you looked around a second time at the setting that you notice a shade of grey surrounding it and a feeling of sadness.  I thought it was interesting that the boys one impression of the camp was about the "Dead Line".  This was the line for the solders to use  if a prisoner crossed it ... they where shot.  No questions asked, just cut and dry.  I thought about our trip and the "Dead Line" the other day while packing some things in my sewing room.  I was thinking about how different the "Dead Line" was for those solders and prisoners as compared to our deadlines that we have in our lives.  Some are more important for us to achieve and others can be merely extended.  I have so many unfinished projects that they seemed to be holding a shade of grey over me.  I am not going to give myself a deadline for these projects.  But I am going to work on them two nights during the week.  Just think about how a deadline sometimes make you feel - are you the prisoner or the soldier?  I have decided that I do not want to be either one ..... I want my projects to shine with a positive light ........... not a feeling of grey.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

A reason to Smile

When others drive by the property I know they see weeds and chaos.  I am trying to be patient and let mother nature show me what hidden surprises that she might have for me.   My neighbor told me that one of the previous owners had some wonderful flowers growing here.  I like to think that the lilac bush that I see from my kitchen window was planted by her.  I also like to think that her spirit is watching me when I am tending to the plants on the property.  Hopefully the two other owners, between her and I, have not disrupted some of the hidden surprises.  For some time I would ask my DH to not mow where I thought the flowers might be growing.  But as mother nature would have it ...she likes to keep you on your toes.  Theses beauties seemed to pop up from no where.  You can not see theses from the road due to the "weed cover".  I think they are spectacular.  Just what I was wishing for .... thank you mother nature ... you have given me a smile.  

Monday, August 11, 2014

Family is like a Scrappy Quilt .....

First I promise this will not be a sad post.  But to explain where this post is going I need to tell you that my Aunt passed away this weekend.  She lived in the Lancaster County area and I still have family that resides there.  Even though we had been separated by geography for many years she always held a spot in my heart.  You see, she was the Aunt that had a way of making you feel special.   Growing up I remembered family gatherings at her house.  The adults entertained each other while the children played outside - rolling down the hill, playing tag, tormenting each other, or catching fireflies ...... just being kids.  If a special was on the TV we would be allowed to watch the show -- quietly of coarse as to not disturb the adults.  When the food was ready we would eat at the children's table.  I know my tale is bring back memories to some of you while others, from another era, may think this to be strange.  By know you must be wondering what my Aunt did that made us feel so special..... don't laugh it was the simplest of things...... she made celery with peanut butter for me and had black olives for my sister.  When it was time for us to fill our plates she would remind us quietly that she had the celery for me and black olives for my sister.  Funny when we see black olives or celery with peanut butter, we immediatly smile and think of her.  Many of my family members are gathered today remembering her.  I unfortunately was not able to attend.  I did have the chance to talk over the phone with my cousin.  We both agreed about how our family had gone in different directions over the years.  But when brought together it is as if time had stood still.  (Everyone is older mind you .... we have not found the fountain of youth.)  We have become a blended family of sort's.  Just like so many of American families.  That thought started me thinking  about how a scrappy quilt comes together.  How some fabrics have been with you for some time ... while others are relatively new.  Some call for your attention and some are just happy to be present.  I made this quilt many years ago at a workshop at my guild.  Some of the fabrics where mine and others came from someone else's "family".   When all mixed together they become a wonderful blended family.    If you are interested in the pattern .... just ask I can always email or snail mail you the pattern.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

The Whirlwind of Fabric ..... and Friends

Last weekend I had three wonderful quilters at my home.  All four of us live in different cities.  We started sewing, quilting , laughing, and bonding many years ago at a quilt retreat that now meets twice a year.  Our retreat group is composed of between 20-28 women and our ages range from late 40's to early 90's.  Everyone has their own unique color palette and the knowledge in that room can only be described as infinite.  I will be honest with you and say that we do not always agree with each other but, we do respect and care about each other.  We are each others muse.  The four of us meet two others for lunch on saturday.  We descended upon a Quilt shop, a Bead shop, and of course thrifting and antiquing just mingled there way in to the day.  Bless My Stitches in Murphy, NC was a pleasant surprise.  I will defiantly return for future shopping.  The four of us purchased owl fabric to make a tote.  Well ...... only one finished hers, you understand how that goes sometimes.
Birdsong Beads and Designs really had some unique pieces and the six of us would like to take a class.  Hopefully we can arrange for that to materialize within the next couple of months.  During the thrifting of goods some of us found treasure that had to return home with their new owner.  We discovered two machines one was a feather weight and the other we think was a hand crank converted to electric.  Has anyone hear of a "NewBee" machine?  The decals looked great.  The gentleman was selling these items along side of the road and we all wondered how the machines would perform.  Neither machine traveled home with anyone.  Oh well a feather weight will be in my future one day.  The weekend flew .... filled with laughter, fabric, and friends.  I do cherish our times together but those girls always leave me with new projects to finish .... well I did say they are my muse didn't I?