House block quilt

Climb high, Climb far.
Your goal the sky, Your aim the stars.  
      - Dove mini bite wrapper

Given that I have no business eating chocolate mini or not, after Thursday's afternoon dance class the teacher gave each of us mini-hearts for Valentine's Day. Until someone else read their wrapper's 'mini maxim' I had never looked inside before. This one fits me perfectly.

Dealing with a persistent ear ache today largely due to 'March' winds that have arrived a month early. I have always been prone to ear aches when the weather gets cold, damp and windy; this week was one such week.  How you might ask did I spend so much time in the cold winds? 

Getting great bargains at the two Burlington, NC stores operated by the Hospice; one for clothing and one for furnishings. Love both. This Wednesday was my monthly hair appointment at Daisy's and afterwards I make use of the trip to loop around to Burlington and hit the thrift shops.

The big find for this trip was a full-sized bed quilt done in the "House" or sometimes called School house pattern with a sashing of tomato-soup red. The entire quilt is hand stitched, a bit awkwardly but it is a terrific vintage primitive quilt. And the price was right!  I was looking for bed linens in 'full' size as we borrowed a mattress/box spring from my sister to stage in our Bonus Room to define that space as a third bedroom or "Guest Suite."   This quilt is already laundered, fluffed in the dryer and on the bed.


"House" pattern in big blocks



Blue chambray backing

 Time was when I had many full-size linens but upon moving to North Carolina we upgraded to  Queen sized beds; who knew I would need them again?  This is just temporary as we hope to have the house sold before summer. Then the bed goes back to Jan's and the quilt will go to a new owner (not telling yet).


Needed repairs

The quilt needs some repairing but that can wait - as of now I have no sewing space and no machine to work with. Once settled and my new studio is functioning I can start the fixing.

Next on my list is to find a worn shirt, a faded tomato-soup red to cut strips for the torn sashings. And perhaps add a new border or edging to the quilt to keep it functional for another, maybe 25 -50 years. I love rescuing quilts, knowing that I can extend the life of handwork that some other woman made years ago. There must be something spiritual in that.

Other odd bits collected include some small pieces of silver table utensils that polished are now gleaming bright. A new Visions (Corning Brand), casserole dish - to add to the numerous other pieces of cookware I have.  And a red tee shirt to wear to the Thursday's dance class as we celebrated Heart Awareness month for women, a little Valentine's Day and that's when I got the chocolate bite. Aim high.

Next week: early Mardi Gras.  Laissez les bons temps rouler.

bb