Spell it with Moda

Warning! This post contains MANY photos! 

A few months back I noticed that there was a Spell it with Moda quilt-along, and after I saw the third letter I was ready to jump in with both feet. My Instagram feed provided loads of inspiration. I didn't start until after all of the letters were released, but I had been thinking about my stash of 30's reproductions and knew that's what I'd be using.  I chose the old-fashioned Baptist fan quilting pattern in keeping with the era of the fabrics. 

My finished quilt is 71" wide x 100" inches long. I made the blocks in order and had so much fun. After I chose the fabrics for my letter A, I kind of became a little obsessed with going through my stash and challenging myself to come up with something to fit each letter. I also decided to make way more filler blocks than what the pattern called for. It should fit a twin bed with plenty of room to hang down the sides. 

 I can just picture talking about this quilt with my future grandchildren, Lord willing I get some. ;-) I'm looking forward to a day when I might have little ones spending the night with me, baking cookies by day, and being tucked under a quilt at night.

What's to talk about?

A is for Anchor's Aweigh, B is for blue and blossoms and boat!

C is for cherries, circles, and churn dash. D is for daisies and dogs.

E is for Eggplant, and economy block. F is Fluorescent.

F is also for flying geese. G is for goose and Granny square.

H is for Hourglass and happy children.

I is for Irish Chain.

J is for Japanese. K is for Kitties.

L is for Little Bo Peep, Queen Anne's Lace, and Log Cabin.

M is for Maraschino cherries and Maple leaf.

N is for nursery rhymes and Northern Lights.

O is for Ohio Star.

P is for Pinwheel, purple, pansies, plaid, and polka dots.

And... here's where it starts to fall apart. I got tired. Q? well, the whole thing is a quilt!

R is difficult to see, but it's retro.

S is for strawberries and schoolhouse.

T is for Turquoise. U is for umbrella.

V is a variation of a star. Lame, I know.

Wait! I perked back up for W. Waterwheel and windmills.

X. This block gave me such a hard time. The black fabric was wonky, and I tore it apart three times before finally getting it right. And then what??? The quilting on it looks horrible. I was so disappointed when I saw this. It was the very first thing my eyes went to. Well, I guess X marks the spot. And not in a good way.

Y. I've got nothing but a bunch of hexagons. By this point I was ready to be done.

Y & Z. Zinnias maybe?

As tired as I was of thinking abut the letters, I was excited over this adorable mini- elephant binding. I finished hand-stitching it just last night.

This is one of my favorite quilts yet.

If you'd like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me at 5redhens.

Enough

 So often no matter our talents we're made to feel like we aren't enough. I thought she needed a reminder that who she is matters. There's no measuring stick being held up. She's enough simply because she is.

Scattered, But Close

Close to my heart, that is. It's strange these days, with our roof only housing four of us, Mac on his own, even over the summer, and Autumn on her own now, as well. We're scattered several hours from one another, and yet, they'll always be close in my heart.

I love the texts and phone calls from these two- sharing snippets from their days, getting to hear Autumn's amusing speech for her Public Speaking class. I wish I could have heard it first-hand, but even over the phone, I enjoyed it immensely. She'll do well there, I know.

Oldest :: Youngest

This morning (well, technically it was yesterday morning, now), Abigail and I packed up the car and headed west to the university for a visit with Mac.

We made a trip to the park during his two hour break between classes. We returned him to campus just in time for his guitar ensemble, made a trip to the local coffee shop, and picked Mac back up again for dinner. It was a splendid day with weather that felt more like early October or late April than the first of February.

Abigail excused herself to use the restroom at dinner, and as she left the table, Mac remarked, "It's so weird that she's not a little kid anymore!"

Yes, Son, I know exactly what you mean.

Log Cabin Pillow

Log cabins. I love them. And there are so many patterns and variations, so much to play with. I didn't know that Collin loved them, too. Christmas afternoon as we sat opening gifts, I opened a book, carefully wrapped. A post-it note had been placed on the cover so the tape from the wrapping wouldn't ruin the book. He's a thoughtful one, that boy. When I exclaimed my love for log cabins, he informed me that he likes them too. A hint, perhaps, for a quilt for his bed?

My first project wasn't a quilt, but a throw pillow. Blues, greens, reds, and browns, picking up the colors of the upholstery on the couch. When I finished, Collin was thrilled. It has gotten lots of use already.

A simple envelope style back so the cover can be easily washed. Here's a link to a video that makes the project simple if you don't know how.

Gone Dancin'

I mentioned that Autumn, Abigail, and Collin were off dancing last weekend, but imagine my surprise when I was reading Dana's blog, Old Red Barn Co. and noticed two of my children in her video! It's a small, small world, isn't it?

Dana gave me permission to share her video here. You can see Autumn and Collin performing about 39 seconds into the clip, and they aren't partnered up.  

If you enjoy this clip, you might want to visit Dana, and watch her girls perform a fabulous clogging dance, too. Thanks for allowing me to share this, Dana!

Flat Tire

I wasn't sure if I was dreaming when I heard, "Mom... the left rear tire on your van is flat. Do you want me to change it?"

It took a second for the words to register when I realized that Collin was standing at my bedroom door speaking to me. Verne was long gone although it was just 7:15 AM. I groggily responded, "If you're going to get to work today, then I guess you're going to have to."

I drug myself out of bed, threw on a robe, and went to watch this event. I settled on the porch steps, phone in hand, in case he needed direction from his father.

He was pretty proud of himself when he finished.

      "Ah, man!"

      "What?"

      "I got to change the tire, and I don't even get to work with Bobby today, so I won't be able to tell him about it."

He's  a man of many talents, Collin is. He's a great baker, loves children and animals, and he can change a flat tire. He must take after his dad.

Adding to the Flock

Ever since we bought chicks last spring, the entire family has been involved in their care. The nesting boxes are checked for fresh eggs at least hourly, and a daily count is kept in a notebook, along with feed prices, and how many eggs we sell. 

Autumn, Collin, and Abigail wanted to add to our little flock, and set out to do research on different breeds. The deal was, if they bought the chickens, we would feed them. Also, no ornamental breeds were allowed. They had to be cold hardy, heat resistant, and good layers. They had to have good temperaments, too. 

Our chicks arrived at our home this afternoon, and Daisy is just as fascinated as she was last year. I'd forgotten just how small and sweet they are. And just how loud their little peeps can be!

Saturdays are for Families

Mac, Abigail, Autumn, and Collin- my little chicks, who aren't so little anymore. 

 I've always wanted to be a mother, but I had no idea what a ride I was in for. Oh, the joy these children have brought me! And yes, tears, too, but the good times far outweigh the bad.

Today has been a day of early rising, eggs for breakfast from our own chickens, a family trip to another town so that four could donate blood while two went shopping, and the donut shop when we reunited. And then, just like that, they were gone again. Collin to work, Mac to see a friend, Autumn to get a haircut.

It's just a taste, really, of what life is like. One minute the house is bustling.  Chaotic, even. Laughter and singing, and a full dining room table. And the next minute? Silence. And I can't say that I like it, but day by day, moment by moment, I know He is preparing me for the day they aren't here. Today, I'm cherishing the moments that they are.  

Friends

I'm continually amazed at the relationship between these two. Four years apart, and opposite sexes, and yet the best of friends. They're like peanut butter and jelly, or hot chocolate and marshmallows; where you find one, you're pretty sure to find the other. I cherish every moment that I catch them off somewhere together, side by side, in each other's company.

An Organized Sewing Room

The sewing room got a new space when we exchanged rooms with the boys and the old sewing space. A bit more room for sewing, but a fair trade because it placed them in a room with a bathroom, too. New paint was in order. No, I didn't want Steelers fatheads on my sewing room walls, thankyouverymuch! The new color? Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray.

Most women who work with fabric can tell you just how quickly their sewing areas can become a mess. I'm trying hard to keep everything in its place, and this pegboard painted to match the walls is just the thing to keep rulers and scissors organized. A brilliant design, if I do say so myself.

The new, larger room afforded plenty of space for a school area, too. Now, I can sew while Abigail and Collin complete their lessons- and the dining room table is used solely for its intended purpose. Well, and game playing, of course!

And by night? The sewing area makes an excellent recording studio for a certain college student home on spring break. I don't mind sharing one little bit.

Six

There were six of us around the dinner table tonight instead of the more common five, and that makes this mama's heart very happy. 

Words with Friends ( and Family )

While I still love an old-fashioned game of Scrabble, I must admit that I'm hooked on Words with Friends. And, so, it seems, is everyone else who lives here. On busy days, when there is painting to be done, or laundry to fold, or whatever the task at hand is, and it feels like there's no time to sit for an hour or so to play a game, it's easy to carry on a game and get the tasks done.

It just about kills Abigail when it's bedtime and I'm ahead. Oh! And if they play a word, and I'm pretty sure they don't know what it means, they have learned that they better have a definition at the ready when I ask for it!

A Walk in Winter

Abigail and I had a rare afternoon alone together and we trekked down the mountain, under heavy branches, across a small stream, and came to a rest in the thicket.

And then we trekked back home, had a cup of hot chocolate for her,  and a hot cup of coffee for me. We  spent the rest of the afternoon quilting, and singing along while listening to Colbie and Ingrid.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Not too far from our home lies a hay field with rolling hills perfect for sledding. Several times a day, Abigail and Collin dress warmly, don their boots, grab their sleds, and walk down the road seeking a winter thrill.

At first, it's rough going. The snow needs to be packed just right, and tall blades of grass get in the way.

And then, before too long, they've got themselves a few packed trails and can move along at a good little clip.

As the day goes on, I'm pretty sure it becomes a competition of who has the best crash. Abigail can make them look pretty dramatic. When she finally comes to a rest, she lays there for a long time in true Olympic fashion. If we yell to her, "Are you okay?" she continues to lay on her back, but waves her arms above her head for just a second. She lays there a few minutes more and then gets back up to make the long trek back up the hill.

Yesterday she got her leg stuck in a deep hole the entire way up to her thigh. I think that one really did hurt.

Sometimes they warm themselves with hot chocolate. Other times it's tea or coffee. A warm supper always tastes good after such an exhausting day. On tonight's menu? Homemade chicken noodle soup, warm bread, and rice pudding for dessert.