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.

Cotton Quilters' Guild meeting

The Cotton Quilters met on our regular first Monday of the month. Since it's October, president Margaret Ducote asked that everyone bring in their fall/Halloween themed quilts. Apparently I'm one in the minority since I have only one of those made years ago. Here are a few of them:

As you can see, everyone has been wonderfully busy. Some of these pieces were made much earlier than the past month, but enjoyed seeing them all the same. As Mrs. Mary said, "You can't see a quilt too many times."

There were some new pieces. Here are a few examples. One thing I have to say is that quilters get pretty excited for show and share. The pink and brown quilt above was hand-pieced and hand quilted by Ingrid. You can't imagine how small those little square-in-a-square blocks are!

There were some new pieces. Here are a few examples. One thing I have to say is that quilters get pretty excited for show and share. Keeping anyone still for a moment to grab a picture is always a funny struggle.

Finally, I pray that those of you who are in the path of Hurricane Delta are out of harm's way. I understand that many, many Louisianans were just beginning to recover from Hurricane Laura, but we are a strong, resilient people. Together we will heroically, steadfastly, and resolutely rebuild our lives. Stay safe and wait for the all-clear before returning to assess the damage.

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.