Thursday, April 24, 2008

Hmmmm, let's see...

... I am afraid I don't have much quilty stuff to report today. Next Tuesday we are leaving for an 11 day trip to Washington D.C./Virginia and I have been focusing on getting ready for that. My friend Carol had given me this Lucky Star quilt for binding, and I did get that put on. Wow, it's a beauty. The line is Spring Meadow by Moda.

Growing up, this time of year was always Spring cleaning. So no matter how I try to fight it I just have the urge to start going through the house and get things in order. Today I was rearranging and getting rid of some things in the kitchen. I came across these baskets that my grandmother had made years ago. We lived close to a big park that had a ton of pine trees. All us cousins would collect bags of pine needles, and then my grandpa would cut the wooden bases and drill the holes....then the magic would happen. My grandma would weave the needles. The long oval basket was for crackers..my dad was a nut for saltines!!! Unfortunately that one has the loose needles because it was used all the time. They are in such remarkable shape, and I am so glad to have them.

In the spirit of cleaning and reorganizing Nan has me thinking about my sewing space. She just finished a big redo of her sewing room and there are some great photos over on her blog. Scroll down a post or two to take a peek. I think when I get back from vacation that's what I will tackle. I have some wonderful polka dot fabric that has been aging in my closet for a few years, that will make wonderful curtains!
My silly lil' friend has been helping me with my camera. She has taught me to use the closeup button. When I started blogging last August I never had used the digital camera. Now I love it and I really am starting to understand what all the buttons are for, AMAZING! My silly lil' friend also has started me on a new
collection...these realllllly tiny miniatures. The cups are smaller than my pinkie nail!
Hope that everyone is having a great week, with some quilting done here and there, some time spent with family and with friends who truly are your friends and care about you!

17 comments:

Mar said...

Omygosh, the baskets are amazing, what wonderful keepsakes. I just bought a tripod this evening, when I use my close up to take pictures they blurry. I need to experiment!

Di~ said...

Carol's quilt is gorgeous and I like those baskets AND I need someone to help me with my camera!

Belvie said...

Love that quilt! The baskets are wonderful. I had pine trees in my yard when we lived in the mountains of Virginia. I collected needles and thought I would try a basket but never did.

Have a fun time in VA. I miss that area a lot.

Janet said...

Love those baskets! What nice keepsakes to have. Lucky you!

Karen said...

The baskets are wonderful. How nice that you have these treasures to remember your grandma.

Darlene said...

The baskets are beautiful - wonderful keepsake with so many memories.

Carol's quilt is gorgeous - perfect!

Miss Doe is obviously a very good friend - you are blessed! Good and true friends are very difficult to find.

Wendy said...

That's a gorgeous quilt you are putting the binding on. It's special to have keepsakes that bring back memories.

Have fun with the miniatures, something about little things is very appealing.

Ginger Patches said...

How cool to have baskets your grandma made!!

Leanne said...

Those baskets are absolutely amazing what fantastic keep sakes. Well done on the spring cleaning thank god we are in autumn LOL.

Granny Lyn said...

An actual "teacher of camera"??? oh, I want one of those!

The quilt is gorgeous! But the Baskets are a TREASURE!!! I would love to have some of my Nanny's handwork. Yours is so precious!
thanks for sharing!!
lyn

Happy Camper Quilts said...

Nan has been a busy lady. She has me thinking too.I love the spring line Moda fabrics.I look forward to checking in on your blog.

Unknown said...

Cheryl, I hope you have a great time in DC. I just got back from vacation and am catching up on your posts. I love the baskets, what a keepsake. I absolutely love your last post with the granny quilt. The lucky stars is wonderful.
Thank you so much for the wonderful bag and pattern you sent me. I love it!! How thoughtful of you!

Perry said...

These baskets are real treasures, Cheryl. I don't blame you for treasuring them. the Lucky Star quilt is pretty, pretty, pretty.
I hope you have a wonderful trip to DC etc. Take lots of pictures!

Eileen said...

No quilting going on here either.. I'm doing the same thing as you. Cleaning!
Those baskets are amazing. They used to do some of the most amazing things, our grandmothers.. didn't they?? Great memories of pine needle collecting. :)
Hope you have a lovely trip to D.C. this week.

Doe said...

Have fun in DC. Tell Nurse Carol I'm going to steal her lovely quilt. tee-hee! Re-ment miniaures ROCK!!! lol!

Nan said...

Carol's quilt is a beauty! Those baskets are not only beautiful, but what wonderful memories they hold.
Good luck with cleaning your sewing room - it takes a lot of stick-to-it-ness!! At least it did for me!
Love your teeny collectibles, too.

Joanie said...

Yes, the baskets are amazing and so neat that you know that craft! We're going to The Living Desert on the 15th for Breakfast with the Keeper's and hope to see Katie and the new baby giraffe. Enjoyed your pics of Washington...I'm from Philly and it's been many years since I was there. See you soon.