Gone To The Beach

Friday, August 21, 2026

Quilt Finishes and Storm Prep

Hi! Another Friday as August wanes and drifts away. I had planned a shopping trip post for us today, but my friend canceled, so disappointed. We did have excitement briefly last night as all the phones lit up with friends being sure I got the tornado warnings (no, not til hours later!). Much discussion back and forth about tornado prep and where is a safe spot. Tornadoes are very rare here but common where I grew up in the Midwest.

A blog I read, by a woman in the UK, was very scathing and judge-y about American storm prep, asif being organized is the same as being a mad MAGA apocalypse prepper, who is also possibly AI clickbait.[??????]. Little does she have any concept of how conditions can go bad very quickly here. And of course all the UK folks chimed in about ''crazy Americans''. I felt so bad--the times I have been in hurricanes are some of the darkest scariest memories I have. It was so hurtful to read. These fools couldn't understand that storm prep is a carefully thought out, wise move! Do they really want to be THAT PERSON who stands on their roof in a flood, waving frantically at the rescue helicopter? Not me, I'd rather make a list and prepare. above and below, last night, not here but not too far away/ pics from social media :

A waterspout that became a tornado as it came ashore.

The tornado missed The Beach here, but a reminder these dark clouds can cause destruction and even death. See that little protrusion on the left underside of the barrel cloud? That can become a tornado or water spout. This is looking out my windows.

I had medical appointments this week and kinda lost momentum on my deck quilting. Merry Christmas remains untouched. Noah's Ark binding is scheduled for the last weeks ahead of summer's end, as my hand slowly heals maybe.

Here is what I finished, bath, scrunch and all. Googly Eyed Jacks is done.

I love this border. It's actually Wild Geese blocks.

Eyes, including button pupils on Jacks--creating mischief and horroified stares, some faces. Sooo cute, right. The eyes are somewhat wonky; this is how the primitive style pumpkins were designed--and I love, though I do see a few threads etc to be clipped.

Spidey

Pinky

Bluey

Backing. Darling panel square, called Trick or Treat, which is the original name of this design by Cheri Payne [OOP or in her FB group files]

Wonderful Spiderweb quilting by Lori C.

I do hope it fits on my front door for Halloween.

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And Grey Baskets, aka February March, as the grey echoes my long grey lonely winters. If you're a new reader or forgot, these are reclaimed antique blocks gifted from a friend. On point setting to hold a bowl or candle etc.

Winter Pansies backing.

I'm not loving these labels--too phony/ commercial, I'll prob return to no labels, my regular habit It is having a brief showing with the current subdued display in the bench corner.

The ''marbles" are Victorian carpet balls, plus a couple repros. An indoor game like bocce.

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I'm also working on the first K-pop rockstar girl outfit. Out of my comfort zone, I hope it pleases.

You may recall I'm not good at project juggling. Too much happening = nothing happening. Maybe next week will be better?

PS Blog friend Penny found HER childhood collection of marbles. Shown in a beautiful Spode dish. Anyone else find theirs? Send me a pic: lizzzz.d@gmail.com

Have a great week!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Finding Old Favorites

Hi! When the guy came to install my new microwave a few weeks ago, he had to remove all the stowed and stashed little items that, over the years, I have hidden in the narrow shelves above the stove vent. (Rookwood flower frog still missing though). He put most things back but forgot the jars of marbles.

It was so fun to see them again, give them a gentle bath and dry.

There's three collections mixed here. Humble but so cherished, the sidewalk and backyard-found marbles. There's also three agates that belonged to my dad, from his dad, I think. [early 20th century/ real stone]. And the t Tiffany opalescent, found...?

In all my years of beachcombing I ve never found a real marble, just the odd white ceramic ball. you see here, top right. These are a lifetime of finds.They partially fill a Smuckers jelly jar.

Besides the found marbles, there are two chrome ball bearings, a very heavy lead musket ball, and this teeny tiny lead soldier. He is small, 1", but such a prize.

Then there's an odd unknown group mixed in. Large-ish cat's eyes, 1 1/4". They're beautiful. Origin unknown. Maybe from my brother to my son and I put them away for safety. I wish I knew. On bottom left in photo below. Some have nicks and dings, but all are crystal clear and colorful.

Last is my collection of Cape Cod glass art glass marbles. These are slick, with colorful swirls, so pretty. For years every time I visited Cape Cod I bought a marble at the gallery in Orleans. My mom loved gallery browsing but never EVER bought anything; the salespeople's faces would drop and be so sad as they realised "just looking" was an art for mom. I got in the habit of buying a little something out of courtesy. Marbles were it. Back then I think they cost about $25-40.oo each. Remember they are handmade by real artists. They now sell on eBay for $100-200.oo. Too bad I didn't keep any records of who made what, cannot even recall name of our favorite shop.

Sometimes I'd go off plan and buy another small art glass item. This seashell paperweight has lived in my deck sewing box for oh so many years. At one time I had a blue scallop shell also but it disappeared.

These two are almost too big to be marbles. I remember loving the magical very "Lizzy" motifs. [but not the ''worms, lol.]

I'd bring the marbles home and stow them in a bowl

...to be handled and admired but this proved to be too enticing for grubby handed children who'd visit and want to play with them---I was shocked a few times to find them slipped into pockets to be taken home. The marbles were removed to a large pickle jar then later to the microwave shelves , too high for anyone including me to reach.

Forgotten. More or less..

In recent years I had the notion to drop one in the tide each walk ----what a treasure for a future person to find. But have since learned that so-called seeding, adding seaglass, is frowned upon.

More recent collection, yet oldest, clay marbles found at the flea, gift from my brother. Cool chewing tobacco jar from blog friend Mel.

Date Civil War through 1920s.

???? Would you sneak the marbles into the ocean, maybe to be found, maybe lost forever. I think this winter I will put at least one, in Mo's memory.

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Coincidentally I pulled out this small beloved Beach Quilt the other day. [yes, longtime readers have seen it before] I was thinking about using the Freddy's Houses pattern for my someday Schoolhouse project [no]. I remember how I loved making this. No rules no shoulds no quilt police, just imagination and joy. Well-sewed too, on my old Brother machine from Costco. $99.99, a birthday gift from my parents who were sad my now ex husband didn't like me to sew or do crafts.

Note the back. Just as the Cape Cod marbles drew me in bec I ''saw" tiny beach balls and tropical worlds, this quilt's Beachballs backing is actually marbles.

Love it for its innocent charm, no rules.

Love the beading and Lily fabric that my mom brought me from Key West.

I sewed a lot better back then. My own machine quilting too.

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I started sewing the binding on the Merry Christmas little quilt today---but an oops with the binding, trimming bulky seam allowance. The feedsack backing is too thick and heavy. I have a plan to patch, I refuse to redo even tho it's intended to be a gift.

Nice weather. The sparrows like the mini Goldfish crackers I got them. Will mix
w sunflowers seeds. The mini sunflowers are now blooming but very daisy-like. Not the Baby Bear shaggy cuties I expected.