Thursday, May 08, 2008

SUMMERTIME BLUES

Finally I am reporting in from Arizona! I thought I would spend more time on the computer, but it has been busy here. My brother and his wife came from Minnesota for a few days and we have lots of relatives to visit here, including my dad. Last time I was here I mentioned the cool Mexican tiles at my favorite restaurant, Tia Rosa's. I took a couple pictures of them, and of my dear old dad sitting in front of them. Does he look happy or crazy? Well, maybe a little of each. That's what I love about him--he is happy AND crazy! He is doing very well now after having blood sugar and oxygen problems earlier in the year. He turned 85 in February. Now that the weather is so nice here-in the 90's, he goes to the pool every day and swims, does water aerobics and then worships the sun for a while. He LOVES the sun! So he is all tan and healthy looking. How do you like that jazzy shirt he is wearing? He brought me three new pair of pants to hem for him. A pair of gray, a pair of canary yellow, and a pair of persimmon. Nothing shy about my dad! Have I mentioned that I adore him?

A while back I showed pictures of this quilt in progress. The primary fabrics are from the Prairie Paisley line by Minick and Simpson, from MODA. I finally completed the quilt top and took it over to my wonderful quilter who happens to reside here in Mesa. I dropped off two others as well that she will have completed for me before I go home. Pictures of those will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, this quilt is made from the Patchalot Pattern's Wintergreen design. I have dubbed it Summertime Blues. I will show it again once it is quilted, but couldn't resist posting a photo of it draped across the bushes in my son's front yard.

My aunt loaned me a wonderful little book called The Quilters, by Patricia Cooper and Norma Bradley Allen. It has been around for years, but is new to me. I loved it! It is a compilation of interviews with quilters. The introduction says this: "This book is about a group of women who make quilts in Texas and New Mexico. They are our ancestors. We sought them out because we were interested in their art. We bought quilts from them, sold quilts for them, and in the process became so impressed with their wisdom and strength as individuals that we wanted to record what we could of their lives. Through them we came to know our grandmothers and mothers, and finally to know ourselves. Through long conversations, visits, shared work, we got a sense of our history we had not before experienced." This book is a little treasure, and a tribute to those women who have gone before us and whose work and art we carry forward. I love connecting with our roots! I bet you will love it too!

Bye for now! --Marcie



21 comments:

Mar said...

Oh Marcie! Your Summertime Blues is BEAUTIFUL!!!

sewprimitive karen said...

Oh, your dad is amazing!! Sounds like a great visit, and the quilt is so pretty.

Carol said...

Marcie your Dad is a cutie pie...it is so wonderful to see how vibrant he is...my mom turned 86 this year and is on the go constantly...that's what keeps them going. Love your Summertime Blues.

Stina Blomgren said...

Have a really nice time with your Dad and family...your Dad is quite the opposite of my father...wish I could influence him a bit...;D
Your new quilt is wonderful!

Darlene said...

You're on the Surface of the Sun - how long will you be here? Wish we could meet! :-)

Love your quilt - need to get that pattern from you.

Your Dad is adorable. :-)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Your dad looks like he is a stitch! And I love your summertime blues quilt!

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

Looks like your Dad likes Mexican food!!! Great photo. And I thought your quilt was scanned from a quilt magazine - it looks great and I really like that border fabric you used!
Cheers!
Evelyn

Wendy said...

Your Dad looks like a very happy and healthy guy. The new quilt is stunning.

Anonymous said...

Your Dad looks so great and so happy. You are blessed to have this time with him. My dad passed away when he was 73 and I was 38 from lung cancer. Give your daddy a big hug for me.

I love your Summertime Blues quilt! It is beautiful.

Elaine Adair said...

BTW, I like your Babes in Blogland and how you have them listed by state and location. Great idea!

Elaine Adair said...

Don't know what happend to my earlier post but just wanted to say "Hey" to your wonderful Dad. You are lucky! He looks like fun.

Unknown said...

i love that picture of grandpa! i got a letter from him in the mail and it was so sweet!
happy mother's day grandma, and I love you!

julieQ said...

I am glad you are having a good visit! Your quilt is absolutely wonderful.

Carin said...

The quilt is beautiful!
Your dad looks like he would be a hoot to be around. Enjoy your time with him.

Anonymous said...

Hello Marcie,

What a beautiful quilt! You did a great job. I just stumbled across your blog, and plan to be back to visit.

By the way, I love how your Dad has such a sense for colors!!! :)

Cheryl said...

What a great dad. You are very lucky. And that summertime blues -wonderful!

Liz said...

Your 'summertime blues' is absolutely beautiful!! And your dad looks great, I just love him!! He is always so much fun!!

pat said...

Hey Marcie! LOVE the new rendition, even the change in name... If it is the book I am thinking of, "The Quilters" is the basis for the musical that was so big SEVERAL years ago. It is really wonderful. I've read the book, and you can HEAR those women's voices.

Rose Marie said...

Still love that quilt and your Dad must be a hoot to talk to .... that is one man who is not afraid of colour!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Oh Marcie, I love the quilt but I love your Dad more! What a doll....cherish your time with him.

Karen said...

Marcie ~ Your Dad looks like a character! Bet he is lots of fun to have around. Enjoy your time with him.