Family and Fabric

Here I sit at the home of my daughter in Missoula, Montana. The kids are watching kid's TV, which is so loud and obnoxious, it makes one wonder what it is doing to the impressionable young minds that will become the leaders of the future. In fact, it makes me wonder if the writers and producers of these programs have some sort of subversive master plan to destroy America through TV. All I can say is, "Stupid, stupid, stupid".

I have been gone from home for a week now and have covered a lot of ground. I flew to Salt Lake City and spent a few days with my son and wife and darling baby, Isaac. This little guy is a joy! I hated leaving him!

We had our family reunion last Saturday and I had a wonderful time seeing relatives that I have not seen for years, as well as cousins from the Salt Lake area that I always enjoy being around. My Ancestor Quilt was auctioned off for $650! I was thrilled! My cousins were bidding against each other, and sometimes against themselves. Connie and David Slaughter had the high bid. I guess I didn't need to worry that it might not be appreciated. Thanks family! 


Stopped at a few quilt shops, sold a few patterns, bought a little fabric. Now I am in Missoula, MT cutting scraps at my daughter's house for a new quilt project. Polly, my daughter, is downsizing and doesn't have room for her/my scraps any more. I forgot some of the cool stuff in her stash! So I am stocking up on HSTs while I am here. Fabric and family--my kinda fun!


Thanks to all my Alberta cousins for reading my blog! I loved seeing you all!

A New Twist

Call this a new twist, if you will, on the ever popular "klosjes" that are spooling around blogland. I have had pinwheels on the brain and they seem compatible, don't you think? 

Also, newly hung on my wall is my ancestor quilt that I showed previously here  and here. I got it back from Rosie, my quilter, and it looks terrific. You really cannot see her efforts in the photo, as she straight-line stitched around each block, and then added feathers in the squares and borders. It all complements my quilt beautifully. I love this little quilt for many reasons. The simplicity of the blocks, the family names and the sentimental stitching around the border. It all makes me happy!

P.S. The Ancestor Quilt was designed by Leslie Ison and Norma Whaley of Salt Lake City, Utah. I bought the pattern at The Corn Wagon quilt shop, 801- 491-3551.

WRAPPING UP AN ANCESTOR QUILT

I have been puttering around with so many odds and ends, trying to finish something! Well finally I can call this top complete and ready to be quilted! In fact I made two just alike. One is for our family reunion and one is for me! The family reunion this summer is for the descendants of Will and Carrie Payne of Mt. View, Alberta, Canada. Will was born in Cottesbrook, England in 1866. He went to Canada as a young man and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Carrie was born in Utah in 1875 and traveled with her family north to Alberta to settle just over the U.S. border in Mt. View. She and Will came together there and at the age of 19, she married him.They raised ten children in a cabin on a sheep ranch. I have no idea how many descendants there are of these two. Several hundred is probably a low estimate. My grandmother used to say that the good Lord must have loved them because he made so many of them!

This reunion is to bring us together to recall our history and our heritage and to honor those who paved the way with sweat. sacrifice and service. These were honorable hardworking people who set a standard that the rest of us are continually trying to live up to.

Making this small quilt has been a joy as I embroidered the names of this beloved family on each block. I know my grandmother would have loved this!

ADDENDUM:  I got this pattern at the Corn Wagon in Springville, UT, 801-491-3551.

The pattern is from Leslie Ison and Norma Whaley of Salt Lake City, UT.

ANCESTOR QUILT PROGRESS

My ancestor quilt is coming along. This quilt is for my grandmother's family and shows her parents names and that of their ten children. As you can see, all the names are embroidered and the blocks are sewn together. The blocks are odd sized, 6-1/2" finished.

Next are the border strips. I first decided what I wanted embroidered on the inner border, starting with The Family of William and Carrie Payne, of Mt View, Alberta, then attributes, such as Sacrifice, Service, Faith, etc. I had room for a few other things, so I added familiar things to them, such as Old Chief - a local mountain that my Grandmother talked about; Horse and Buggy, Thunderstorms, etc. I printed these words off from the computer in a size and font that I like, and taped them up in strips to fit the borders. Then I had to trace the words onto fabric with the help of a light box.
Next is the embroidery! I have begun embroidering the strips and they are moving along quickly. This quilt top will be done in no time!