Sewing and Thunderstorms....

and so far I've managed to avoid the garage...LOL. I had so much fun making up the two little quilts on Tuesday evening, I decided to play again last evening..*VBS*
I added some very random borders to the little pink one, and cut a backing and batt for it. Since the blocks I received were heavily starched, I decided to machine quilt that one. Having done that, I pulled out a little pile of 'stuff' and created another little quilt...
using just what was in the pile and a few strips from the 1.5" bin(which I had out to use for borders on the pink one)I added spacers where needed. It seemed pretty wild, color wise, but a choice of pale yellow for borders calmed it down completely. Got a backing and batt cut for it, and today I am hand quilting it with perle cotton. What fun!! Totally no purpose to any of it...LOLAnd then today's mail brought me two surprises! This is a blog-a-versary block from Cher at Marathon Quilter(see sidebar). Love the butterflies and the colors Cher! It's very special and it will always remind me of you *VBS*. My other surprise was a package from Sandy at Rabbit Stitching(see sidebar). I won her blogaversary drawing! Wow! What a great package Sandy *VBS* I'll share the contents tomorrow....for now, I'm just soaking up all their gifty goodness!!!!!

Wacky Wednesday....?

Is that a category? Well, for me it is! Or maybe it's just me that is wacky...LOL Today...something old and something new.
Warm and wonderful! That's what this is...*VBS* My blog-a-versary block from Libby. She blogs at http://simplylibby.blogspot.com/(see sidebar). She told me this blocks is called Summer School and that she picked the colors especially for me! And I love it!! The warm tones will always remind me of Libby's warmth and friendship...thanks Libby!
And some stitching from an old friend..*VBS*, and one of MY favorite quilters, Tonya. You all know Tonya...she blogs at http://lazygalquilting.blogspot.com/ and currently is living in Paris. My 'All Seeing Eye' came by way of Cairo, Egypt...Tonya's last address. I feel special having this wonderful little quilt. It was created with an ongoing awareness of the role 'eyes' play in my life. From the vintage buttons to the special words...I love it! It's one of my most honored possessions on my wall of quilts *VBS*Thank you Ton!

A block from Ms. Jan and more one patch quilts...

Last weeks mail brought me this very lovely block from Ms. Jan at Ms. Jan Quilts(see sidebar for link). I'm sad that she didn't sign it, but I'll figure it out *VBG* I'm thinking this one will go right in the MIDDLE of the Memories quilt. Thank you Jan!!
And continuing on from last week, I'm still caught up in the 'one patch' idea and sharing. Today I'm offering you the lowest of low in the one patch world, the square.If you can see the world in a grain of sand, there is no end to what you can do with a square of fabric. Even without dividing it into parts. A very simple one patch doll quilt, made from 2" squares
Or a more planned and color chosen bargello, from a pattern idea of Bonnie's (www.quiltville.com) I have made four of these now.
Or wandering back to my scrap bag, pieces for a 9 patch..."Looking Old and Blue". A 5/4 combination with the emphasis on the lights. Betsy made one at the same time...she set hers with red. Nothing special, just squares. I don't using strip piecing very much, and these 9 patches were cut the old fashioned way....LOL. Betsy laughs at me as I do my "each by each by each" method, as she calls it. Everything was cut into a seperate square before it became a block.
It might be that it's a square at it's most basic level, but like the 'idea' of bread, once you begin, there are so many possibilities. Why not try one that appeals to you??

Birthday Boy ~ Blocks in the mail...

My darling grandson is one year closer to grown up. It's hard to believe that 8 years ago today, on Friday the 13th, I watched him slid into the world. He's the only one of my grandchildren that I have had the priviledge of seeing born. He's special to me in soooo many ways, including that one...*VBS*
He was an adorable bouncy baby, and a real heart stealer with deep dimples and his Daddy's curls. He's 3 in the firetruck picture. I am not always blessed with new pictures since his mom and dad split up. This picture(2005-age 6) that my DS#3 snapped with my digital camera. I love it! He looks just like his Daddy *VBS*
I won't get to see him today, but I made sure my card and gift were at his Daddy's house last week, already and waiting for him to turn 8!The last picture is of the blocks I got in the mail on Saturday. Saturday's mail would still be in the mail box except for the fact I received a package, and the mailman brought everything to the door.
The blocks are from Michele whose blog is With Hearts and Hands, A quilting journey(see sidebar for link) for my Blog-a-versary and for the Orphan quilt *VBS* I love them and the gifts Michele!! Thank you soooo very much *VBS*
I'm not as stiff today, but I definitely have lots of aches and pains in the bruised places. I'm still taking it easy, but able to do a few things for a short time. Thanks for all the well wishes..*VBS* Hugs for all....

Block in the mail...

It's such fun to be getting these blocks in the mail *VBS* Today's block is from Momma See in Washington State. She's a friend of Sue's(From the Magpie's Nest) and has decided to play along with our Orphan Train Challenge. The block is just beautiful Momma See, thank you so much for sending it..*VBS*
On a totally unrelated topic...my e-mail from Momma See asks questions about a couple of things. I try to answer e-mail as soon as I can. I don't always make it right away. I think each of us tries to accommidate our readers.

If you have a question about a posting, one possibility is to look at the list of posts on the side bar. Under Orphan Train, or Orphan Quilts you'll see a number. That indicates how many posts I have made about that 'subject'.If you click on it, it will give you a new screen with ALL the times I've talked about that subject.
Beyond that..look at the top of the blog..there is a BLANK search box...type in what you are curious about, for example: Pay It Forward and blogger will give you all the posts about that subject. That saves you the time of having to scroll through months and months of postings..*VBS* That SEARCH box is at the top of every Blogspot blog. And it's there to help in finding what you want to know.
One other things.....I've set my comments sections so ANYONE may comment. Even without a blog, you ARE ABLE to click on comment and write a message. IF it asks who you are posting as, click on anonymous. Then please sign at least your first name to the comment so I know who to respond to.
I hope that helps, Momma See....and anyone else who needs it *VBS*

Fun in my mailbox...

Yesterday's mail brought me a block for my memory quilt. I got this lovely block from Linda J. She blogs at http://catsnqlts2.blogspot.com/ As you can see, she knows me quite well! Ebby and I just LOVE it, Linda!! Thanks a million!
Our weather has turned hot and humid again, and I'm inside and staying close to home this week. I did venture out for a quick cup of tea with Betsy yesterday and to see her new King Salmon quilt. It's quite amazing and I will go back with my camera. I've been working on these blocks, since seeing Judy's August Hour-a-Day challenge. I have a tin full of pink strips, time to use them up.
The centers will all be the hand dyed fuschia color, and then half the block lighter pinks and the other half, darker pinks and rose. I hope to get enough for one whole top. Check out Judy's challenge: addy on the sidebar.

The ticking clock, about being who you are..and 'mail call'....

As I came into the computer/sewing room tonight, I thought about how quickly it gets to be Friday again. It seems I just breathed a sigh of relief that it was Monday morning and the weekend was over....and now it's Friday. It hasn't been an 'average' week in any sense of the word. One of those "life keeps happening while you were making other plans" deals, and lots of "Murphy's Law". Most of it is resolved, at least most of what affects me. There is, and will be, the continuing coverage of the bridge disaster...one of the 8 bridges that connects St.Paul to Minneapolis, some 40 miles west of me. Even when you've lost no one...the images are very disturbing and scary. It's been 48 hours when people to hug would be appreciated...but not available. That's life. Time passes, everything changes and then changes again.
I've been thinking about orphans and orphan blocks again today. I sewed and posted a picture over at Riding the Orphan Train. It's a Work in Progress. but it got me to thinking about "being" who we are. I am a 'puzzle piecer' and a 'gleaner'. I think I start with a "piece"(life, home or quilt)and then look for what goes with it, not necessarily color, but another piece...like it's a puzzle. And I am a 'seeker', in that I'm detail oriented about finding things. I can 'glean' the bits from where they lie, or hide, and gather them together to make something that is 'whole'. It's what I know how to do,the direction that life pushes me...to gather the odd bits. And that's what works for me and makes me the happiest. Don't hand me a basket with a 'kit' for a quilt inside, give me the few leftover pieces that you didn't need and send me on my way. I might NOT want to leave you, especially if you make me feel secure, but I MUST, because that is who I am.
On a less serious note, mail call brought me another block for my memories quilt, the "Pieces From OUR Scrapbag" that I will be making. Katie, at Mismatched Quilter(see my sidebar for a link) has been making Tonya's wonky letters and working on a challenge quilt for Space Travel. She sent me 'hugs' that will last forever..*VBS* Thanks Katie!! I love it and that you left it big enough for me to size. The second block is from Vera at KC Quilter, *VBS*, she sent it as an orphan block, but I will use it in the "Pieces" quilt. I'll add your name to it Vera, thank you so much, it's such a sweet little bird. I love it!

And there you have, musings and mail, and reflection. Not nearly all of what is on my mind these days, but enough for today. If you love someone, tell them...*VBS*

Blocks in the mail..*VBS*

more treasures to add to my pile of Blog-a-versary squares *S* The center one is from Sue at Magpie's Nest, W.WA, The dark fabric is a print of a computer's mother board...LOL. Perfect Sue!!Thank you so much for sending one..*VBS*
The left and right ones are both from Sharon B. in FL. She blogs at Quazeequilts, (for which I will have to find the addy). I'm not quite sure why I got 2, but I love them both, and will use them BOTH! Thanks Sharon! Your piecing is just beautiful and what great fabrics!


Second picture is a sewing picture..please don't tell my Mom...I play hooky for part of each day(that I'm suppose to be acting like an adult) and sew on SOMETHING! The pile of 5" charm blocks was handy, so I began cutting and adding the HST's to each side. Got 23 done in this batch, but then 'labor' caught up with me, and I went back to 'work'...*VBG* But look.... how cute is that little alien in the 3rd pic?? How could I resist his tempting calls to be used??? I couldn't.
On the good news front...part(I repeat PART) of the packages went out today. I'm hoping to have the rest in the mail tomorrow...except for the overseas ones. I picked up the customs forms today. AND we got our hot weather!
IRegarding work, I do know my job. I know it well....it's to inspire and encourage and cheer you on. Doing the performing part takes a bit longer...LOL

P.S. Blogger did respond to my pleas the very next day, but in checking saw that WE had resolved it ourselves..*VBS* Hurray for Michele and my blogger friends!!!

More blocks from my surprise package...

And hopefully today Blogger won't feel I need the extra html at the side...LOL. I am enjoying looking and admiring each of your blocks sooo much...just wanted you to know*VBS*
First picture we have from left: Jen at Hedgehog,Anne at Quiltoholic, Patti at Quilting is my Passion, and Rose at Threadbare. Since there were 21 blocks, I had to choose one to stand alone at the end...I picked this block on purpose *VBS* It's from Yvonne at Quilting Down the Stairs. By putting it alone, I could put it on point and come in close on the stamped detail...really a charming block Yvonne..*S*

And the last picture??? Well, I just couldn't resist. Ebby hasn't appeared just lately, LOL, but having her jump into my vintage laundry basket, and curl up on the fabric when her Mile A Minute quilt is right behind the basket seemed to good not to share. In my house, there are quilts everywhere, as you might imagine. Stacked on chairs, on the couch back, in piles on the floor, in the bathroom, and definitely in the laundry room, bedroom? of course, maybe the only place you couldn't sit or lay on one is in the kitchen...LOL. And Ebby claims ALL of them, plus any fabric or even a plastic bag that might be on the floor with fabric in it. If I leave the stash door open, she goes inside the closet and sleeps on the fabric. Like most of your cats, she has become a first class quilter's cat in short order!

A list from Jeanne....

and hopefully it will 'paste' in here! Jeanne at Luv 2 Stitch, who gathered the blocks for my blog-a-versary, mailed a list of those whose blocks I have...and oh my! I certainly did BUTCHER some of those names and blog names...sorry. A combination of my poor vision and reading what was written on fabric, usually in quite small lettering. Hope this helps...once this is here, I will post the last of the block pictures from this batch..*VBS* Sounds like I have quite a few more coming!!
No luck on the cutting and pasting from the email..probably just as well...LOL. Here are the names, spelled correctly.

Nadine at Friendship Threads
Jeanne at Luv 2 Stitch
Nancy at Quilting Fitzy
Jen at Hedgehog
Teodo at Appunti Patch
Donna at Chookyblue
Anne at Quiltoholic
Connie at Simply Quilted
Rose at Threadbare
Tanya at Taniwa
Tracey at Oz Country Quilting Mum
Simonetter at My Quilted Dream
Anne Heidi at Piece by Piece
Brenda at Pieces from me
Pam at Pam's Pages
Bea at Capricorn Quilts
Yvonne at Quilting Down The Stairs
Fiona at Scraps In Progress
Patti at Quilting is my Passion
Gudrun at Gudrun
Kathie, my dear blogless friend *VBS*

Rainy Days and Mondays....

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But they can't get me down...*VBS* I'm still flying high looking at my beautiful blog-a-versary blocks! As I said, there are 21 here. Jeanne at Luv 2 Stitch said there might be more coming, and Rose cnfirmed that. And then this a.m. an email from a friend who quilts in FL saying she wants to send one...marvelous!! If any others would like to send a 6.5" block from your scraps, I'd love to put it in my upcoming quilt..*VBS* It would mean just that much more with YOURS in there!!!

Today we have blocks(such neat ones!)beginning left: Kathie in NJ, she doesn't have a blog, but was a Maverick with us for awhile. Thanks Kathie!!*VBS*, Anne at Piece by Piece,Gudrun at Gudrun, and Simonette at My Quilt Dreams.
In the 2nd row: Bren at Pieces from me, Fiona at Scraps-in-progress, Teodo at Appunti Patch, and Jeanne at Luv 2 Stitch. I will show you the last 5 tomorrow. I've been thinking and thinking and trying to decide on how to set them...*VBS*, and I do have a couple of ideas..more later.

As I told you on the 12th, I've been sewing like a mad woman lately. Just seems to be a form of mental 'possession' to finish up some tops and have them done with. There are 5 different sets of blocks that I am working with, jumping back and forth. The Amish with the friendship star I showed a few days ago, is one of those sets. I have made 9, have lots more, but am only going to make 10 total. Then they will be added to the newest orphan train quilt.
Today I'm showing you some "Whatever" blocks from an idea Linda J had. I have just about all I need, but will make 2 more. Then it's going to be a baby quilt. Second picture, left over parts of a abandoned Pineapple Blossoms. A couple more needing a strip or two, and then they will join the orphans on the platform, waiting to ride.
Today I wish I could sew, but I have some bank business, some cleaning, and a few errands to run. I'll be back later to see what all of you are up to...Hugs, Finn

On a sunny Sunday morning....

...I am still amazed and in awe of this wonderful gift from blogging friends around the world!! *VBS* So very sorry that 'life' had me(and the rest of the world) by the tail yesterday! Sometimes things happen and you can switch plans, and sometimes, not. Yesterday turned into a "not" despite my plans...but here I am, better late than never I think *G*, still full of gratitude and awe from receiving such a lovely gift from so many of you.
With the new blogger format of using the html for the pictures, it's hard to put the words by the right picture. Sorry. The package I received was a nice, bulky priority envelope, a big one! And it had bulky contents! 21 absolutely wonderful 6.5" scrappy blocks from YOUR scrapsbags(and that was emphized...LOL) in celebration of my 2 years of posting at Blogspot!
Sometime after I announced my giveaway celebration, Nadine started the ball rolling with other quilters to send me blocks! What is so very incredible to me, is that altho you all seem to know me, there are some of you that I don't recognize the names. Guess that's what amazing on the internet. In this format, we can read each others posting, and leave a comment, or just move on to the next blog. I really have not minded that the readship excedes the comments....other than I can't always pop over and greet you and see where you blog and what you are up to! And I love doing that!!!
But the wonderful blocks...back to those. In the first picture, starting at the top left, the blocks are from: Tracey of Oz Country Quilting Mum,Nancy of Quilting Fitzy,Connie at Chookblue, and Nadine of Friendship Treads. She actually embroidered those words~such tiny stitches!

Second picture from top left:Pam at Pam's Pages, Connie of Simply Quilted, Tanya at TANIWA and last but not least, Bea of Capricorn Quilts.

I will share more of the blocks tomorrow, but please, each and every one of you, I send my deepest heartfelt thank you for this lovely honor. I'm just Finn, and all I do is just my 'Finn' kind of thing, if that has helped you in some way, I am sooo very pleased..*VBS* A special THANK YOU to Nadine(Friendship Threads) for deciding to do this and getting the ball rolling, and another special THANK YOU to Jeanne(Luv 2 Quilt) for being the collection center and keeping track and getting them off to me in such a lovely package, with such a lovely note! Loved your stationery and envelope...it will live on in my stitching box *VBS* I love seeing little reminders like that of the friendship, support and love of fabric and quilting that we all share. God bless the Quilters of the World, for they be both piece and peacemakers. Hugs for all, Finn *VBS*

I'm speechless...which is very rare....

But I find myself at a complete loss for words!!! I just received the most incredible package in the mail....and altho the name almost registered, I was wondering who(?????) in Saginaw, MI would be sending me a package?
I can't begin to tell you how very astonished, surprised, stunned, and overwhelmed I am feeling by the contents of that package...*VBBBS* You gals, headed up by Nadine are just the best!!

It probably would have arrived yesterday if I wasn't such a ninny about getting the mail. I don't get much mail, other than papers, so I often don't go out to the box for several days at a time...it's been 3 days since I was out there..LOL. Guess that will teach me!!
I haven't time just now to do the package justice, as I'm due at the nursing home in a few minutes to help with the monthly birthday party. I've got to change and run, but I'll be back with many more details....til then, dear, dear blogging friends, consider yourself loved, thanked and so much more!!! If you are reading this come back after a couple of hours, I'll do better!!! Big hugs for all, Finn

Happy 2nd Blog-a-versary To Me!!!!

Finally,*VBS*, it's "THAT" day..my 2 year point in BlogLand!! And today is also post #900(there were more, but I've deleted a few..LOL..in the interest of saving space).
I'm giving you a quilty picture, since that is the reason I'm here...quilts. But I know everyone is excited to see "if they won a blog-a-versary present", so I'll give you those results right away!!!
Second picture is of the mixing box, and I mixed and mixed. I crumpled instead of folding, I think you get a more random draw that way. And then a picture of the winners...in the order I drew them...*VBS* If the following gals would email me with a snail mail addy, I will be choosing from the 'loot' specifically for YOU. I know most of you fairly well, but PLEASE, do give me hints when you send your address.
I'd like addys for
1. Darlene, Quilting Daze
2. Jeanne, Luv 2 Stitch
3. Angie, Threadcatcher
4. San, Gypsyquilter
5. Katie in MI, Mismatched Quilter
6. Connie, Simply Quilted
7. Libby, A Simple Girl
8. Patti, Quilting is my Passion

Second part of my surprise to celebrate my happy home in Blogger Land, is that I'm keeping the 'drawing box' as is. Once I get things together for these 8, and see how much of a dent that makes in my Finn Stuff, I'm planning on drawing a few more names...*VBS* I'm just not committing to those readers til I get these 8 filled and gone.
So if you aren't here, it doesn't mean you are out of luck...LOL. I really do have A LOT of vintage stuff I'd like to share. It maybe a small thing due to postage, but there are some really goodies just the size of a vintage orphan block...*VBS* Have a great day...it's like Sept here this a.m. and I will be off to lunch and shopping with friends about 11. See you later! Hugs for all, Finn

A quilt with history, but no name....

This is what I called "Rescued Orphans". It had been a quilt in some far distant day, and left to rot out its years in a trunk in an old barn. The backing mostly gone, the batting chewed up to make mouse nests. It was NOT a pretty sight, but despite the strong smell of mouse urine, I took it home and stuck it in an outdoor washtub. I didn't want to examine it the way it was which is understandable, I think! Several water changes and disinfectanted added, I could finally drain the water away, add warm water and a mild soap and wash it. It pretty much was beyond damaging it. Once it was rinsed and dried(laying flat on the grass) I took my seam ripper and removed the backing and batt remments. A few badly damaged blocks bit the dust, but a fairly large center section remains. It could be quilted or tied. Will I?? I don't know. Time is running out for hand quilting for me, do I want to spend time quilting this one? I'd happily pass it along to someone who loves these odd, old beauties, but I haven't heard from that person yet...*VBS* Maybe today??? Anyway.....this is a rescued orphan quilt and of an unusual sort.The blocks
may or may not be actual orphan blocks...that is: leftovers from other quilts. There is a second kind of quilt that is a cousin to Orphan block quilts. That kind of a quilt is made from the very bottom of the scrapbag...not the orphans, but the "dregs".
If the scrap bag is running that low, the maker uses what falls to her hand...totally real, very hard choices. This second pic is a log cabin block and illustrated my point. Yes, the little purple and white square IS a center with log radiating out. Hard to tell, isn't it? In the Jacob's ladder blocks, some strange fabrics wandered in to make up the needed patches....lots of strange fabrics! And
sometimes the choices were easier and a quilter could 'almost' get the usual look from what was available. This log cabin is easier to recognize than that first one. All in all, it's a challenging quilt to study. You eye really has to work to seperate the blocks. Not alot of care was given to the sizing of things. Four patches, nine patches and even 16 patches were pieced and stuck in as needed. The fabric cover quite alot of history. Some very old black prints, early 1900's. And tons of feedsack scraps, a few things from the 40's and 50's. Beyond that I'm not sure. So, there is the traditional "orphan blocks to be used" tops and then there are what I call the "desperation" tops. Where the quilter felt compelled to piece another top and had limited resourses, or
perhaps, none at all except a needle and thread. No beautiful leftover applique blocks here.

Post-s-note: My Blog-a-versity is coming up on July 13th...2 years of blogging and nearly a 1,000 posts. I want to have a 'give-a-way' of several things. I'm formulating a list of what I'd like to 'gift' to you. I'm giving you fair warning because at the beginning you don't know what you are signing up for. But if you think you might like to have something uniquely "Finn", tell me to add your name to the drawings. I'll add it each time you tell me...(multiples ok)*VBG*I'll take names starting today, and right up to the 12th of July. I will post a list of 'winners' on the 13th. Within reason, I'm willing to do some foreign mailings..*S* Not fair otherwise. What will I give you??? Examples: elderly redwork blocks, a set of no certain number, and a huge stack of 1930's Dresden plates purchased in Galena, Ill, some vintage lace and such. I also have way more containers of vintage fabric and scraps than I can or will ever use. I'd like to package some up and see it go to you gals who love the old stuff. Many pieces are small, but then so are minature or doll quilts *VBS* Some can be cut into FQ's or fat 1/8ths. I also have vintage orphan blocks that could use a new home..*VBS* And some newer stuff for those who don't LIKE old stuff. If you think you might want to give a good home to the quilt top shown above, the one with no name, but a history, please email me...it's up for adoption, as orphans should be...*VBS*