Sue's Vintage Quilt

My angel friend Sue has been helping me so much with my family history.
What discoveries have been part of my life in the last few months!
In trade, I have been helping Sue complete some of her family heirloom quilt tops that have been stored away in closets for generations.

I'm guessing this beauty was pieced during the Depression Era of the 1920's-1930's
Even though it has some discoloration here and there, it's still in fairly good shape.

Depression Era fabrics marked an abrupt change in colors previously used in quilts. Moving away from the dark, ornate Victorian Era style, women sought new light, pastel color schemes.
As usual, media led the trend.

Women could not run to a quilt store to find patterns or fabrics as we do today.
Usually they found their inspiration through magazines.
In order to survive the economic downturn, magazines would tempt their readers with new quilt patterns and styles.
Pooling their resources, women would often go in together for a current issue and share one quilt pattern.

This was the time of the Arts and Crafts movement, where people were encouraged to go back to more simple, handcrafted items often seen in architecture, furniture and decoration.
Notice this quilt was pieced with "make-do" fabrics that were 0n hand.

The top is now trimmed and pressed.
I've made a backing of muslin to match the front, and the quilt has been sent to the longarmer.
Sue is excited to have this family heirloom ready as a Christmas present for her children and grandchildren.

Beard Hats

Now that I have taken up the hobby of crochet, I'm always on the lookout for little projects that might be do-able for a newbie like me.
You just never know what you might find in blogland.

Beardhats by Taraduffstuff

Make sure to check out Tara's Etsy shop

Wise Counsel

"To live with Gratitude in our hearts is Heaven"

(from a talk by Thomas S. Monson/ Sunday October 3, 2010)

Sewezi Table

I have had several people e-mail me and ask about the portable table I use when I travel.

It's called the Sewezi Table and it's definitely one of my most favorite sewing accessories.

For me, this table lives up to the claims on their web site.

My #1 concern was wondering if it was sturdy.

Answer: yes.

I no longer use card tables that bounce every time my foot hits the pedal.

My #2 concern was if the table would be easy to transport.

For me, the answer is again: yes.

The Sewezi Table weighs 23 lbs, folds up easily and fits nicely into a nylon carrying case.

There are rubber wheels on the bottom and hand grips on the top if you choose to wheel the table to your destination.

With each purchase they send a custom cut acrylic insert that will match your machine. If you have more than one machine, additional inserts can be ordered.

I received mine as a birthday present from Mr. Cactus, so I didn't fuss about the cost.

If you are pinching pennies, you might want to see if you can pick up a floor model at a vendor show. Or use an Internet search.

I often take my Sewezi table to classes or retreats where there is limited space. I then use the table spot provided for my cutting station.

In case you are wondering, I have no connection or stock with the Sewezi company. I just like their product.

Quilters Cottage

The other day while Mr. Cactus was golfing in 100+ degree weather, he asked a local if it rains in this area very often.
"Never" came the reply.
Yesterday we woke to a 30 degree drop in temperatures, pouring rain and streaks of lightning throughout the sky.
What to do, what to do?

I came up with a brilliant idea.
"We could drive over to Fallbrook and visit a quilt store" I casually suggested.

Quilters Cottage in Fallbrook is another one of my favorite quilt stores in Southern California.

Such a friendly staff.

They were quite thrilled with the lightning and the rain. One employee mentioned that she doesn't even own an umbrella because they see rain so seldom.

Quilters Cottage loves cats. You can find a great array of anything that includes quilts and cats.

Like these cute appliqued blocks by Garden Patch Cats.

Stalker

Pumpkat

and my favorite: Avocato

There were plenty of other fabrics and patterns to choose from.

Bali bags

A Halloween section

And more cats

One little girl was trying to decide on a fabric for her first quilt.

Guess what she chose?

One of the reasons Mr. Cactus was open to driving to a quilt store was because he had never been to Fallbrook, the Avocado Capitol of The World.

How could a man pass up such an opportunity?

For me, Fallbrook feels like a town that has been frozen in time.

Circa California 1960's.

Driving through the fields of agriculture and nurseries brought back so many childhood memories.

We saw as many nurseries as avocado orchards.

A very laid back town, with orange trees in most yards.

Of course we had to stop and buy a large bag of avocados (25 for $5) and freshly picked oranges that taste completely different than the grocery store variety.