Sunday Quilt Inspiration: B O O K S

 

Since I've broken the news of my forthcoming book, A World So Fierce, I thought I'd take a look at the quilts that represent books. 

There are many bookshelf quilts. I knew that going in, but wow! I didn't expect to find so many more since the last time I pinned some to the "books" section of "heart, quilts." 

There are  over 150 pins on this board alone. I imagine there are a few duplicates, since it's difficult to remember them as I go along. 

Have you made or considered making a quilt with books? What other objects would you add on the shelves? Have an inspired week of quilting!

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: leaves of three, let me be...

 Has anyone ever told you that phrase in a effort to keep you out of poison ivy or poison sumac or poison oak? Yes, I know of three vines to which I am highly allergic. 

I watch for the leaves, but I also know where they are most likely to thrive and know the itching difference. Yes, it's possible to tell. Poison ivy blisters and will release a clear liquid that will spread the itching. It's pretty miserable.

Poison oak itches more and feels like it gets deeper into your tissues. There are no obvious blisters but the skin tears easily. Thankfully, it doesn't last as long as the other two. 

Poison sumac is a mean one. It itches the least, but the itching lasts for about three weeks. 

Since I'm all into this already, I'll tell you what I do for treating all of them. If I discover that I've been exposed, I wash my hands, arms, feet and legs with soap and water immediately, using plain water if that's all that's available. I want to get as much of the plant oil off of me as possible. Once I get home, I shower in cool water using a scrub specifically formulated for this and follow up with an anti-itch cream. The picture above shows the particular ones I like.

I keep both at home or in the camper, but it's necessary to use both a couple of times a day, so a trip to any pharmacy is generally part of the treatment. Calamine lotion? It smells like childhood, so it gives physiological help, but that's about it.

 Whew, that was a lot of information to get here--to quilts with leaves (of any number).

 Prayers that you survived Hurricane Delta safely and without too much damage. We were very lucky and had only a few limbs to pick up in the wooded area near our house. That's where the poison ivy lives, so you now know where I got this idea. If you're allergic to leaves of three, how do you treat it? Any idea that may shorten the misery is welcome. Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: vintage quilts

I'll be honest, I'm sort of out of ideas for SQI. I'm sure more will come to me at some point, but honestly, it's getting more and more difficult. Yes, I have a running list. It's down to some of the really strange brainstorming ideas. Yes, SQI is always running "somewhere" in the back of my brain. (That's probably where the strange ideas come from. Perhaps we shouldn't go there.) 

Anyway, in desperation--it is Monday morning, after all--I'm just going to post pictures of quilts. Old quilts, because they don't get enough attention. 

Many of these pins can be found in my "stacked, quilts" board, which is meant to give you some ideas of how to display your quilts, both old and new. 

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: Words and Phrases

In September of 2015 I wrote this SQI about using text in quilts. At the time I was collecting fabric with words, which was becoming an easier goal anytime I walked into a quilt shop. Today at least one piece in a line of fabric has some kind of lettering or words. And I have enough text fabric to make several quilts. 

Nevertheless, words and how we use them still fascinate me. There are always words in my head. And I analyze sentences, usage, mechanics at the drop of a hat. Ask me if I've seen a sign (or a million) that needed correcting. These quilts don't need a red pen; they just want an audience.

Like the other 13,000+ quilts, these pins can be found in my "heart, quilts" board. In fact, they are in a new board called, "words and texts." Have you made a quilt with words? What about using fabric with text?