I had one of those strange early morning dreams in which I was trying to get somewhere and was terribly late (I have this one a lot) and every decision I made further delayed my arrival. I was sleeping so deeply that I felt like I had to push my way to wakefulness. An hour and a half later, I still haven’t woken up and the whole thing left me feeling off and slightly edgy. Do not like.
The quilt is sitting on my little desk in the corner of the den. I’m ready to begin the hand quilting process. I had to finish a special Obsession Scarf order first, which I did last night. I know it will take a little time to get back into the rhythm of hand quilting. It always does.
Luckily, I had a lot of my supplies in a drawer here in the den from the time I started hand quilting a little throw I made (at the same time I made this quilt top) but never finished. Note to Claudia: Finish it. I had to gather up my hoops and decide what color quilting thread I wanted to use. I’ve had this thread a long time. I can tell from the price tag that I bought it at Rosie’s Calico Cupboard in San Diego, my favorite quilting shop in the world. I miss that shop every day. I used to spend hours there. It’s huge and they have everything. I was so lucky to have that shop within spitting distance of my home when I lived in San Diego. The nearest quilt shop to me now (that I like) is over an hour away. Years ago, when I mentioned to Don that I would like to learn to quilt, Don went to Rosie’s and in his charming way, asked the staff to recommend all the tools a beginning quilter might need. Those tools, along with a beginner’s class, were my Christmas present that year.
This is the fabric I decided to use for the quilt back. I’ve only done 2 queen size quilts and both times I ordered special quilt backing fabric that was either 108 or 110 inches wide. I know a lot of quilters like to hand piece the backing and I so admire them for that, but by the time I get to the backing I’m in no mood to piece anything. I decided on this rich paisley pattern which I ordered from Keepsake Quilting.
Maybe I’ll do a little hand quilting this evening.
We, and by that I mean Scout and I, are getting ready for our little adventure tomorrow. She doesn’t know about it, but tomorrow is the day we travel to Hartford. Keep your fingers crossed for us. It will be strange and challenging for her since this girl is nothing if not a creature of routine. I have arranged to have two apprentices sit with her in the evenings while I’m at the theater. That doesn’t cover the afternoons, when I might have to be at rehearsal for a while. My aim is to walk her in the park for a long time so that she’s simply so tired that she zonks out. I wonder if it will work? I feel like a mom who has to pack up all the things a baby needs. In this case: a bed, her favorite pillow, her food, her treats, her bowls, her leash, some chopped-up carrots for her evening snack…..and that doesn’t include my stuff!
Happy Tuesday.
… yawn … stretch … good morning!
Don’t you hate those dreams that you struggle so hard to wake up from?! So unnerving and unsettling. Hoping the edginess is soon replaced with calm for you this morning.
Can’t wait to see your project, your fabric is so lovely. A wonderful quilt shop, that’s the stuff dreams are made of! It’s been a gazillion years now since we had one here and we don’t even have a good regular fabric store – we do have a nice new small store but it’s really small. whineeeeeeeee …
What a gem of a husband you have! To pay attention and listen and store the info away … and, and, follow through! Each step being a big leap for lots of guys (understatement), so to go the whole distance, that’s amazing and makes me giggle and smile for you!
Wishing you and Scout a pleasant journey and time away from home! I’ll look forward to hearing about it. xo
Don is a pretty great husband, that’s for sure!
I so hope Scout has a good experience going with you! I don’t quilt but my Mom use to and I’m the lucky owner of some of her beautiful quilts.
hugs, Linda
I hope she does, too. I’m hoping that all the new smells in the park will keep her happily exhausted.
I am so happy you are taking Scout with you. She will be happier and so will you.
The quilt is going to be beautiful!
Suzan Ladybug Cottage
Thank you, Suzan!
I hope you have a big diaper bag (for Scout)! LOL Yes, traveling with a pet is just about the same as traveling with a child. I hope she adjusts to the change in lifestyle for a few days and is just content knowing you will be there soon. Good luck. Drive careful.
Judy
I will. My mechanic hasn’t figured out what is wrong with the car and why it’s using so much coolant. He has a suspicion, but he is too honest to charge me for anything that he simply suspects. He ran all sorts of tests and came up with nothing. So I’m going to have to keep my eye on the coolant level as I travel back and forth to Hartford. It seems like, at least for me, there’s always something to worry about!
Great choice for your quilt back!! Have a fun trip (I’m chuckling about the diaper bag comment)! You’ll both feel better having each other in your new surroundings. Travel safe! :)
Thank you, Tracy!
The quilt fabric is so lovely..i am really looking forward to seeing it when you finish!
Hope Scout does well and yall enjoy your little trip.
Me, too!
Awwww, you and Scout have a great adventure! Bring along a sweater you’ve been wearing that you haven’t washed. One that you don’t mind giving to her to curl up with so she has your scent closeby if you do have to leave her alone for a bit. That might help keep her calm since the apartment/hotel won’t have any of the familiar scents of home. And don’t forget bags to pick up what she disposes of in the park! haha I forgot those once on a trip to the Cape and had to have my sister stand with the smelly stuff (so nobody walking by would step in it) while I ran to a nearby store to get a plastic bag! Safe trip to you both! (And I love the paisley backing! Paisley was THE design when I was a teenager in the 60’s! Of course yours is much more elegant and toned down than the wild patterns I’m remembering from back then!)
Have a great trip,
Donna
I already have a pile of plastic bags ready to go, Donna. I will definitely bring along an extra sweater for her to snuggle up against – or better yet, maybe a sweatshirt.
That quilt backing material is gorgeous. Love it. You are such a good momma to Scout. I’m the same way with my dogs. I’ve never understood those people that have a dog and then just dump them in the backyard to stay the rest of their life. Ugh. Good luck with her tonight.
She’s my baby!
Have a great trip..Love your fabric..
Thank you, Missy.
That paisley is so pretty…be fun to make a table runner! I had to laugh at that diaper bag comment…sounds like you’ll need something more on the order of a duffle bag! Have a great trip with Scout! ;)
Thanks, Donnamae!
Claudia – I hope you and Scout have a safe trip. She will be happy to be with you and the park sounds like it will keep her busy!! I love your quilt colors and backing fabric. It will be beautiful when you finish it and I can’t wait to see it!! It’s such a nice cozy winter project – Safe journey to you and Scout. Francine
Thank you, Francine.
Claudia, I adore this fabric pattern and color combinations. I know it will be gorgeous.
The second week of my new Blog Shop event just opened. You should come over and link your Etsy Shop.
I’ll check it out, Beverly! Thanks!
How wonderful your taking sweet Scout with you..no matter where she will be happy if she is with you!
Look foward to seeing the quilt progress.
Thank you, Ann! Here’s hoping she weathers the experience well.
That backing is going to be gorgeous. I love it-it will make a beautiful back! I hope things go well with Scout-good luck on tiring her out- I try that with my grandkids and I usually end up exhausted and they are just getting started!;>) xo Diana
I know. That may happen with me, too.
I love the browns in that fabric – very pretty.
Thank you, Kim.
Because I am one of those “just in case” people, take a roll of paper towels and some kind of cleaner for a rug.
They have paper towels and cleaner in the apartment, thank goodness. And I’m paying a $75.00 pet cleaning deposit, as well!
In my anxiety dream, I am always trying to get to the airport. In the dream, I have lost the ticket, or there is terrible traffic, or fog, or snow or SOMETHING preventing me from either getting to the airport, or keeping me from getting on the flight, or preventing the flight from taking off. I hate those dreams!
I wish I was there to babysit Scout!
I wish you were, too!!
Learning to quilt is something I have always wanted to do. I love your fabric. Hope everything goes well on your trip with Scout. It is difficult when they get to be older and just like to stick to their routine.
Hugs,
Laura
I know. Hopefully, she’ll be excited about the adventure.
I am impressed by how Don listened to one of your “wishes” and then gave you the tools to make it happen. Brownie points for your hubby! I’ll bet Scout will be happier this time around, instead of being boarded. Too funny all the stuff you have to pack for a dog, huh? We might take a vacation this summer and I still have no idea what I’m going to do with my cats. I’m thinking about maybe having someone (not sure who yet) live here for the week. Anyway, have a safe trip to Hartford!
Thank you, Melanie!
I never wanted to piece the backs either. By the time I got to that point, I just wanted some muslin and get it done. The paisley fabric is pretty. I use to get fabric every month with some club Keepsake Quilting had. That was over 20 years ago. Have fun on your trip.
Brenda
I remember those clubs. I never took part but they looked fun!
Ah, I have similar dreams. Very aggravating.
Wishing you and Scout a safe, fun adventure.
Your quilt backing fabric is gorgeous. I don’t think I would be up to piecing the backing of a quilt, either!
Here’s hoping both of you have a safe uneventful trip and Scout will enjoy his adventure :)
Have a safe trip! I hope that Scout does okay with it all. Enjoy your time in the theater!!
Teresa :-)
Hi Claudia,
Oh, Claudia!……You and I both claim Rosie’s Calico Cupboard as our very favorite quilt shop. I used to visit her shop when we lived here in SD and it was one tiny little space. She has expanded so much. My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas last month and I said…”A shopping trip to Rosie’s Calico Cupboard”! I won’t go until after baby’s born and we’ve caught our breath….But, once he’s arrived. Watch out checkbook!!!
Thanks for sharing and have fun stitching to your heart’s content!
Smiles,
Carolynn xx
I wanted to post a comment on your blog entry, “The Milkman and the Eggman”. I loved it. It brought back so many wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing yours.
We had a milkman and a breadman. Our milkman was named Frank. My mom and dad knew him, and would have him come into the home when he would collect for payment weekly. He wore a uniform of a local dairy in New Britain, Connecticut.
Unfortunately I only recall the big truck of the breadman, but little else. I don’t recall how often the breadman would deliver; it may not have been daily.
Life was so much simpler then. It truly was a different era. People appeared more courteous, kinder, friendlier. Now when I drive on the highway, even at the upper speed limit, the Hummer-sized SUVs, often driven by women, want to drive me off the road for not going 80 miles per hour. I don’t recall that 60 years ago.
Thank you for the trip down memory lane. Wish I could go back in time.
That is such a beautiful fabric for the backing, Claudia. I know it’s going to look beautiful when it’s finished. I’ve only tried to quilt once before (a cathedral window sampler) and it was just so restful. I used old muslin sheets as the backing for each square and cut out small squares for the “stained glass” from scraps of previous sewing projects. Looking at your lovely material, I’m inspired to try quilting again!