Modern Monday

The La Traveling Quilt Bee is getting under way.  In fact, I've made my first block and will send it off in a day or two.  I am not sure that it's what I want, but I am working on a customer quilt that has a deadline, so my block will have to wait.  

There are things that I like--the color, the size, the fabrics--and things that I'm not so sure about.  I think I'll just send it off and hope for the best.  My idea it there, but it's not what I envisioned.  Of course, I'd have to either start over or do lots of ripping.  Neither sound very appealing, but I don't have to make my decision right now.   

I do like this particular fabric.  It is an off white background with calligraphy words.  Some are readable, but not many.  Some are French: I can figure out famille (family) and a couple of other words.  However, there may be some words that are not French or English.  They are so difficult to read that I just don't know, but that adds to the appeal.

This little applique reads "make a quilt for each of my children."  Now that I really love.  The light blue is almost gray and I've decided to request grays and neutrals.

If you're interested in following some of our antics, there are a few ways that you can keep up.  One is to see what we pin to the Pinterest board that's been set up especially for this purpose.  I'll add a few more links later, when I figure out how to access them. lol  It seems I'm going to have to learn a few more computer skills, especially how to use hashtags. 
Mary
#LouisianaTravelingQuilt

Sunday Quilt Inspiratation: Pastels

Happy late Easter everyone.  By this time, all the eggs are eaten, the baskets emptied, and masses prayed.  In honor of Easter I thought I'd use pastel colors. They remind me of the dresses we wore as little girls.  Nothing fancy or lacy, just cotton fabrics in spring calico prints.  Momma made a dress for each of us to wear to Easter mass.  

My favorite was purple flowers, but there were always lots of options.  

While I was looking for pictures of vintage calicoes, I found this picture of yo-yos.  Of course, they remind me of vintage calico quilts.

And that takes us to more modern quilts. 

Join me tomorrow for Modern Monday.  See you then!

Mary

Easter Fun

This is a post from 2012 but I thought you might like to know how to get these beautifully dyed eggs, so I'm reposting.

We managed to have a couple of days of fun for our Easter vacation.  Although we go back to school tomorrow and face state testing this week, I was able to forget the stress of work for a few days.  All three sons and their families visited on and off over the weekend.  

As I write this, the local news is reporting the egg knocking competitions in our parish.  The children did get an opportunity to go to the Cottonport Egg Knocking on the Bayou for the egg hunt.  When they returned, we took naps then woke to our own egg fun.  We dyed about seven dozen yard eggs.  

The little girls really had fun with egg dying.  Jenny brought a kit that the grandchildren used to dye their eggs.  I, however, dye way too many eggs to play with dying one at a time.  Instead, I've perfected my own egg dying technique, which I really like because I'm able to get brilliant, rich colors.  

To dye eggs, I first place a towel in the bottom of a large gumbo or stock pot.  Carefully putting the eggs in the bottom of the pot, I add hot tap water to cover the eggs and turn the stove on high.  Once the water comes to a boil, I turn the heat down to keep the eggs from moving around.  When the eggs are cooked, I move the entire pot out to a table on the lawn where I've already put some large glass bowls, Wilton food dye, and vinegar.  The recipe of one/eighth cup vinegar, 1/8 teaspoon food dye, and hot water to cover the eggs in the bowl seems to work very well.  I like to dissolve the food dye in the vinegar with about one cup of water before adding the eggs.  I use the hot water from the pot because the eggs and water are the same temperature and the eggs are less likely to crack.  

Note that most of my bowls are deep rather than wide, so that I can put in four or five eggs without having to add a great deal of water.  I also gently stir the eggs so that they are evenly dyed.  When the eggs are dyed to my satisfaction, or I simply get tired of waiting, I put them on the table to dry.  I've found that placing them in the crack between the boards is especially useful since the eggs don't roll around and the space allows for faster drying.  I also like to store the eggs in a carton because they are less likely to break or hit against each other.  

Why all this egg dyeing?  Because knocking, or pocking as many people say, is a tradition in central Louisiana that is fun.  I love that the elderly people enjoy it so much.  When our children were young, we spent most of our Easter Sunday visiting from house to house, Easter eggs in tow, so we could "pock" eggs.  This photo is of my grandmother, who died 20 years ago.  She is on the porch at my parents' house with both hands full of colored eggs, apparently going to pock with someone.  That smile is the reason I still dye eggs.  I think of her every time I dye eggs.  The tradition of dyeing and knocking eggs runs deep in both mine and Richard's families. 

Pin It Wednesday #61

Happy middle of the week before our Easter break.  I'm excited to have a few days off.  I have tons of paperwork and grading to do, but I might be able to get some quilting done, too.  I hope so, at least, I'm sure missing getting a few stitches in.

Aren't these appliqued flowers just gorgeous?

Look at these applique pieces!  Love the trees.

Happy little birdies these are!  

Can you tell that I love flowers?  Well, there is that, but also I am definitely into the spring season.  The weather may not be cooperating 100% but it's beautiful enough to want to be out there in the cool sunshine.  
Mary

Modern Monday is back!

Remember my plan to write about modern quilts on Monday? Well, I haven't forgotten, I just haven't had anything to say.  Till now, that is.  The Northeast Louisiana Modern Quilt Guild ((NELA MQG) has started a traveling quilt bee.  

I've joined the fun. At the end of the bee, each of the participants will have a quilt top to finish into a lovely modern quilt.

I'm excited to be part of this bee idea.  Of course, I'll chronicle my adventure and hope that you'll join me here.  

I hope that this coming holiday will give me a chance to look at some modern traveling quilt bee ideas on Pinterest and also allow me to actually sew up a block or two.

The quilts on this page are a couple that are from previous traveling bees.  There's so much about them that I like.
But we'll talk about that later.  For now, I'd like to revel in the idea of quilting with others and for others. 
Mary

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: SCULPTURE squared and shaped

Enjoy the inspiration of outdoor sculptures and some amazing modern quilt.  Shape inspiration from both.

Who knows me so well?



A sister, for one.  She sent the card to me on Facebook.