Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Stitch: A thread or line that holds things together.

A year ago, I began a quilt for my daughter's birthday.
Recycled a pieced top from a garage sale. 
The fabric was blah, but a good place to start.
Finished Quilt
 I finished the quilt a year later.
Just in time for her October birthday.
Backed in softest flannel.
Tied with light green wool yarn.
Edged in polka dots.

Some of the Squares:

Great Grandma Edith.
(Thanks, Gayle, for the picture.)
Pictures transferred onto linen,
then sewn onto the quilt top.

The old coat button, a reminder of the button jar
that taught us to count, to sort, to know our colors.

 A partial map of NE Portland.
I, of course, "put a bird on it".
Portland, ORE - Put a Bird on It
 "Everything that slows us down and forces patience,
Everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature
is an instrument of grace."
The beauty of dog ownership.
You have to slow down, go for walks, love a lot.
Daughter and rescue golden retriever, Rusty.
This square was fun to design and embroider.
Borrowed from Julia.  Thanks. 
Embroidered spider.
 A self portrait,
from the first grade.
Will she recognize herself?
Embroidered self-portrait.
 Stitch: A thread or line that holds things together.

"Let us be grateful to PEOPLE who make us laugh."
Her brother fishing in Grandpa's Maltby pond.
No blanket for her would be complete
without a rabbit.

Random embroidered squares.

Wherever there is a heart, there is a hole in the fabric.
As the quilt becomes older and more tattered, 
more old wool hearts can be added.





It's very heavy, fits a queen size bed.  
One of those winter quilts that will provide weight and warmth.

I hope she likes it half as much as I enjoyed making it for her.


Sunday, September 15, 2013

Better than wine! (Updated)

Grapes are picked and destemmed.

The press is ready to take its maiden voyage.
A press made by Cider Bob from Elmira, Oregon
 Grapes go into the press box.
 And the first grape juice comes out!
 It's so pretty.

Tastes so good.

Can't wait to press some apples.
What a great birthday present!

Update:
This is Cider Bob, who is over 80, and his son Dan.
A family operation, they make about ten presses a month.
Signed and numbered, 
 working pieces of art.
We picked the press up at the shop in Elmira, OR.
Both Bob and Dan were there, 
plus a granddaughter who was busy doing some finish work.
Lots of pride in the history of their company
and the high quality of their work.







Monday, September 9, 2013

Harvest Time


September harvest
Scents of tomatos, peppers, squash, beans, 
Hang in the kitchen air.

Tucked away in glass jars
Summer riches made ready for winter.



Tomato Sauce, Tomato Juice, & Salsa
Dried Black, Ying Yang, Peregion, and Kidney Beans
Hot peppers
Kale
Crookneck Squash
Bountiful!
And Beautiful!
Such pretty colors.