Gone To The Beach
One of my dad's folk art wooden flags that hung on our house in Cape Cod. He was a veteran, a decorated air force pilot, and when I was very little we'd go to the historic cemetery in Ohio to place wreaths and Flags on our ancestors' graves,, on Memorial Day [Decoration Day]. Some were Civil War veterans, he was proud of his heritage and his country. So I remember him today [and always].
Quilts: I have been collecting antique quilts all my life, from having family heirloom quilts on my bed as a small child---and have been myself quilting as a hobby and artistic expression for the past 15 years. But now I am again assessing my love of sewing and quilting. I love the quilts I make, I put hours of time and quite a bit of money into them. And again, lots of attention, intent, and love. Through some difficult years it has been a blessing to wake up each morning and have that special project to focus on. Years of sadness and pain and the loneliness of the pandemic year[s].
Recently though I felt to the need to pass on a few quilts to friends, but no! Yesterday my friend looked over the four quilts I offered her to choose from, and she sneered dubiously. She called them blankets and wanted to be sure they could be used as sleep under bedding and washed often. She texted her husband! [who asks husbands?] who hated them. I admit I was very hurt. Are my quilts THAT unattractive? [don't answer that ,lol.]. Couldn't she have chosen one to adopt, just to be polite, be a friend?
edit to say: I didn't just surprise the person with the quilts on offer, I had asked previously if she'd like one, and she said yes until she actually saw them.
After she left I sat here and cried for hours.
Yep I can't give them away. I was again tearful now as I wrestled also with a quilt once gifted and returned, how to make it better and useable, how to remove personalization. Wondering why it was not loved or wanted. Along with the t-shirt quilt that never got a word of thanks, the quilt used as a drop cloth, the quilt that the recipient never even bothered to take out of the gift bag before stowing it in a cupboard....so much rejection, even my thick hide feels dented.
My quilts are FAILS, which is hurtful. I have a few options and PLEASE do not suggest charity donations, if I want to do charity I will donate money or fleece blankets to animal rescue and foster care.
Options: I can quit quilting. [Unlikely. It gives me something to look forward to each day.]
Or I can renew my focus to please myself, enjoy myself and just go on. Maybe only make tops as finishing is so expensive? That is a good plan but takes away the joy of seeing one's work , one's creation, finished.
Time for a change?
...
Before the giveaway fiasco my friend and I went thrifting. Only thing of interest was this sweet party dress, looks like one my blog friend Kit's [My Montana Life] darling daughter would recycle for her fabulous style.
Now I plan to brave today's gale wind and as the Thunderbirds roar overhead, practicing for the weekend, I will walk out and smell the beach roses in early bloom.
Welcome summer!
love
lizzy
gone to the beach....
We did wear masks in the stores--mostly as a courtesy and also to avoid catching colds which apparently is an issue post-mask use.
It has been cold here and I was thrilled with my spring finds---for one day. And then the heat wave came. Oh it was hot here this weekend. Saturday morning, frantically searching for shorts and flip flops! I still had flannel sheets and fluffy throws layered on my bed. Poor Mo needed the AC. [me too!] I haven't sweated like this in years. At least my old clothes all still fit!
I bought some cute 4th of July outfits for friends' babies but that was a big fat NO, so I am seeing returns of the sweaters and the baby stuff next week. Too bad. Here are some finds:
Old Navy: cute linen shorts and a cotton lacy sweater.
The same sweater is tomato soup rose red.
A few tee shirts.
Gold-ish scallop shell earrings, $7.oo, no big deal if lost in the surf.
Target:
I don't wear skirts or dresses. Ever. But I loved these retro fun frocks, how cute!
Cute suede flats for future Autumn afternoons at the pub's sidewalk cafe.
USA short shorts, summer sleepwear.
Patriotic dish towels from the dollar bin. I think with appliqued flags they'll make very fun throw pillows. Or great napkins for summer BBQs, as is.
Fourth of July rash guard tee for Mo, at least HE liked his holiday outfit. Good boy!
I guess the two sweaters will go back though. They were expensive for my budget, $40.oo each, and will not be of use now that it got so hot. I chose them thinking they'd also be great in the Fall, when it's hot here through November. But that's a long ways away, lol. I will keep the suede flats tho, hope is eternal/ I am a dreamer.
...
The past week was stressful depute the fun outing, so not much got done in the quilt room. Spring cleaning, screens in, air conditioners cleaned and tried out. Family issues and upsets were distracting---and then I got a flat tire! Brand new car, maybe driven 200 miles! So upsetting. [a nail, but still...]
I did make my Blue Pineapples outdoor table cover. It came out cute, nice and waterproof, even though it really doesn't go with my tropical chairs cushions. Two large 99 cent totes make a cover. I may look for a different print that coordinates better, easy to make and the price is right. I'd love to find an outdoor rug too, and some sort of little shade teepee for Mo?
Like this: Omigosh it has pompoms! And bobble fringe!
Have a great week!
love
lizzy
gone to the beach.....
Good evening! It is actually Sunday night but it'll probably be Monday when you see this. Mo is home from his week away. It's important that he has a familiar alternative place to stay, I am big on planning for all contingencies and emergencies. He had a wonderful time! He played in a real yard, he met friendly dogs, he learned to ride in the back of my friend's Jeep! He helped plant a garden, he rolled in spray paint spatter in the grass...he went to the deli! And to the beach. "just looking, mommy!"
I'm so proud of him. (He is exhausted, LOL)
Speaking of gardens, my seeds are at the two week point. The zinnias have sprouted nicely.
They have a new ladybug stake.
In my wildflower potted gardens I see no sign of the new coreopsis or pink coneflowers, though the returning plants are doing beautifully! As are the red Asiatic lilies.
No pumpkin sprouts. The nights are cold still, veggies like warmer nights.
In this big pot are some mystery volunteers--- Coreopsis, and?? Is this the giant marigolds for two years ago? Are these dahlias?
I am so hoping this patch of seed sprouts is the Mexican Hats wildflower from Lori/ HQ. She lives in a high desert area, not sure if they will grow for me, fingers crossed.
And here is my sad lifeless pot of nasturtiums. I thought they were not going to grow, but today when I poked my fingers in I see the seeds are softening and bright green. Hard shelled seeds maybe just take longer? [should soak next time.]
My pansies are doing beautifully, such a happy spring flower. They love the cool weather.
Out walking there's not much to see right now. Mid May is azalea time here.
And the crepe myrtles look briefly attractive with their red tinged chartreuse leaves.
I sat out one chilly afternoon to sew, felt guilty with Mo being away.
I quilted and sewed this tiny project. A leftover basket block from Julie Porter's Covid Baskets/ Tiny Baskets, made last summer. On one of my FB groups someone asked what is the smallest quilt you have made. This one is 3" square. I have a tiny clipboard to display it. The very narrow binding was an experiment, less that 1/4", carefully glue basted with washable school glue, a recc from Mel, who is not a quilter but is a good creative sewer.
I thought the tiny basket was finished but then I remembered it is going to have antique flower buttons sewed on maybe. We'll see...
And oooh, look, beach tags have been distributed this year, six not just Covid two. Yippee!
have a good week,
love
lizzy
gone to the beach....
note the hair plug style grass replantings, meant to help the faux dunes become real. These are on many of the north facing dunes' sides. They were planted three or four years ago, still look awful.
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| my sewing spot view |
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