Friday, July 27, 2007

Life & Details, and a Master Quilter




We are delighting in Maria's growth. She says so many things, sharing her thoughts and views. She draws. She paints. She carries books and a flashlight and persuades people to read to her. She pages through magazines, intent and absorbed. She packs her bags with a strange assortment of housewares and odds and ends, then carries her belongings like an embarking explorer. She carries her baby on her shoulders, just the way she likes to ride, and she sighs and says, "Whew, heavy baby."



Anne thought she was too busy to play, and yet look who found time to make a doll quilt! This was a quicker project than her first quilt, and for a much different purpose. It is a Cat Doll Quilt and made with love for her Patrick kitty. I got to see it up close when she hosted Mom's Night Out. It's a comfy, cozy, charming cat quilt. Come on Anne, you know you want to make one for Toby...

She asked me to bring the amazing creations sent to me by Kim, of "Calamity Kim's Craft Cottage" and I was happy to oblige. It's fun showing people all the great details of Kim's work... they were impressed!

And you can almost see just a peek of Anne's beautiful backyard, oh, and she's wearing her hostess apron, because we kept her busy cooking and serving her delicious Finger Foods of the World! I love it when other people cook and invite me to eat. Seriously, isn't it wonderful?


Since I have come to terms with the fact that housecleaning is a pointless endeavor, that I am no good at in the first place, I have freed up time for other pointless pursuits that actually amuse me and make me happy, like sewing. tee hee. So, I have been doing a little applique-quilting-cross-stitched quilt. What is it called when you add batting beneath and stitch around it to give it a 3-D effect? No, not obsessive.


It looks cute. Maria said so and I believe her.


One more work in progress... a special gift for some dear friends. Shh! It's a secret.

Now that I have shown the silly things I do when the children are looking for dinner and there are no clean socks... I would like to share a new masterpiece from Grandma Nancy, Geoff's grandmother in Wisconsin:


This is a quilt. (I apologize for the poor image quality. It's a photo of a photo)
She uses her fabric to depict a painting of an artist at work on a painting. Please follow this link to see the Dega she quilted; it's amazing.

We have, at long last, booked a flight to Wisconsin, so that next month we can see Grandma Nancy and her beautiful quilts. We haven't been there in a long time, so there will be lots to catch up on and to introduce Maria to, like Aunt Carol and cousin Sophie and Jordan and Griffin, and the Creek, the bakery, the lake, farms and barns, pasty, and maybe we'll go to the zoo, State Street, Ella's Deli...

We are going to have so much fun!

3 comments:

Tracy said...

Maria is the sweetest things...I could just eat her with a spoon! Anne's quilt is wonderful! And that "painting" quilt is amazing--what a clever idea! And your own quilting is fantastic, Natalie...Can't wait to see more! So glad you'll be going to see family soon--nothing like the tug of heartstrings! Happy weekend to you all! ((HUGS))

tea time and roses said...

Hi Natalie...

That Maria is a real sweetie pie! I love her "Dora The Explorer" backpack, and the unique way she carries her baby!(smile)...

Natalie, all the quilts are just beautiful... Have a wonderful weekend.

Beverly...

Tarie said...

It's great that you guys will get more time with family! :)