Tempus fugit
I couldn't resist cutting into my new fabrics and trying a few new grandmother's flower garden combinations. I've been meaning to purchase some solid black to start on the connecting hexes. This wasn't intended to be a bed-sized quilt but the flowers are so much fun to make that, like eating gumdrops, I have a hard time resisting the urge to try just a few more. It really would be the perfect summer project for me this year...easy to scoop up when I have to neaten the house on short notice.
It's a beautiful day here today...the first day of summer! The same kind of clear, sunny day that it was 32 years ago today when we got married. Yes, the longest day of the year...there've been a few laughs about that over the years. Sheesh, 32. (I think we had just finished 4th grade. Heh.) I'm heading to Chicago shortly where we'll enjoy an anniversary dinner and a welcome respite from, well, here. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend...we're planning on spending it driving around, scouting neighborhoods, in search of the setting for our next chapter.
I *just* ordered 100 bolts of Kaffe today, then I look at your blog and 'whew!'. (glad you're posting again.) Every time I freak a bit about the shop, I'm reminded that it's not just me... you have such wonderful taste in (Westminster)fabrics. I feel a bit less panicky, knowing there are a few kindred souls out there. Whether 'middle-Indiana' is ready for Kaffe, I don't know, but I'm hopeful. Your dotty flower-centers are beyond charming. I need to get started on a new quilt top, something spotted and loud and unfussy. Your pictures are certainly something to look forward to... I can hardly wait to see more of those gorgeous 'flowers' together. Cami
Posted by:Camilla | June 21, 2007 at 05:42 PM
I love your hexagons :) I keep seeing paper piecing everywhere and am so inspired to try it, just a little intimidated b/c everyone else's is so amazing!
Posted by:Libby | June 21, 2007 at 05:52 PM
Oh, those are beautiful! They're going to look smashing when the top is assembled.
Have fun in Chicago this weekend ... have you been able to narrow your search at all?
Posted by:Ruth | June 21, 2007 at 06:17 PM
Happy Anniversary, Jan and M!
Posted by:Kathy | June 21, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Anniversary Congratulations
Guess what, it was our 32nd wedding anniversary yesterday also, but we are in the middle of winter here in Australia so we always get jokes about the longest night.
I celebrated by going fabric shopping and my hubbie went machinery shopping for the farm.I have been following your blog for several months, just knew we had something in common. Cheers for another 32 years!
Posted by:Jan Milne | June 21, 2007 at 07:16 PM
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by:Carole | June 21, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Happy day to you both -
it's nice to hear of a couple married longer than we are!
Check out Lake Bluff - pretty town...
Posted by:blackbird | June 21, 2007 at 08:10 PM
My Grandmother made a king sized grandmother's flower garden using her grandmother's aprons! Lots of grandma-ing going on.
Posted by:Faith | June 21, 2007 at 08:23 PM
A very happy anniversary to you! Today is our anniversary also - 38 years! We got a whole lots of teasing also about getting married before the shortest night of the year!
Posted by:Patti | June 21, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Awwww! Happy Anniversary! Good luck with the hunting and have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by:Emily | June 21, 2007 at 10:45 PM
You have such an incredible eye for fabric composition. I'm always inspired. The Kaffe polka dots haven't shown themselves in my local shops but I'm hoping they appear soon. Happy anniversary!
Posted by:kathy | June 22, 2007 at 12:59 AM
Love the flowers on the black! Can't wait to see the finished product. Good luck with the house hunting...
Posted by:quilt crazy | June 22, 2007 at 01:28 AM
Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your weekend.
My parents (45 years) and my husband's parents (46 years) just had theirs too. That whole "June wedding" thing must have made churches in the 50's - 70's pretty darned busy! Heck, maybe it's still the same today, I'm just so out of that loop.
Love the use of your new fabrics! Can't wait to see all that floral goodness on a black background - it's going to pop in such a wonderful way.
Posted by:Nancy | June 22, 2007 at 02:08 AM
Just a quick recommendation. The best black I have ever found is Michael Miller Jet Black. It has a gorgeous hand and truly is a gorgeous deep color. Much deeper than plain old Kona. Have fun with your hexagons.
Posted by:Tonya R | June 22, 2007 at 02:52 AM
Just a quick recommendation. The best black I have ever found is Michael Miller Jet Black. It has a gorgeous hand and truly is a gorgeous deep color. Much deeper than plain old Kona. Have fun with your hexagons.
Posted by:Tonya R | June 22, 2007 at 02:54 AM
Can I convince you to NOT do black for the background? I know it is a safe choice but there are so many other colors that would be unpredictable and interesting. How about one of Kaffe's shot cottons? Pewter, slate, moor, thunder, prune ---so many choices.
Liza
Posted by:Liza | June 22, 2007 at 06:57 AM
Happy anniversary! And your garden will be beautiful this summer! Lucky you to be able to carry it around to work on. Maybe my real garden would be weed-free if I could take a little patch with me every time I had to sit and wait somewhere :-)
Posted by:mimi k | June 22, 2007 at 08:35 AM
I have a grandmother's flower garden quilt in progress too. Unfortunately it's still somewhere in a moving box. I'm trying to be strong and finish unpacking the rest of the house first. Arrrggghhhh! My sewing fingers are so itchy!
Posted by:Katie | June 22, 2007 at 09:17 AM
Happy Anniversary!!!!
Posted by:Lynn | June 22, 2007 at 09:33 AM
Happy Anniversary!!!! (and good to see more of the flower quilt! I'd been thinking about it last week, actually)
Posted by:Scribbles & Bits | June 22, 2007 at 10:06 AM
Happy anniversary! Those gorgeous flowers are tempting me to brave some of my own.
Posted by:samantha | June 22, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Whoa!! Pretty impressive readership you have! Gettin' advice from Liza Lucy herself. How can you decline?
Posted by:Jane Ann | June 22, 2007 at 11:49 AM
I LOVE your hexagons. I'm all over the english paper piecing as well. I can't wait to see your quilt together.
Posted by:Melissa | June 22, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Happy Anniversary! I like your distinctly modern take on the GFG. Those Kaffe fabrics are continually amazing.
Posted by:Kathie | June 22, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Oh - that blue gray fabric makes the best hexagons! That is EXACTLY what I am doing right now - kaffe scraps into hexs. I've been struggling about what to do in the center but I love the look of that variety of colorways of polka dots. Hmmm - time to find that fabric me thinks. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by:Amy | June 22, 2007 at 06:15 PM
Wow, 32 years of wedded bliss! That deserves a real celebration. Your hexagons are great, and they'll make a beautiful quilt. Have fun with the house search!
Posted by:Leslie | June 23, 2007 at 10:43 AM
I have never liked GFGs. But I love yours!
I have been on again off again with an English pieced tumbling block quilt. It will be done someday, but I don't work on it much. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by:PeeWee | June 24, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Happy 32nd anniversary! I'm wishing you a wonderful anniversary trip in the Windy City. But I can't wait til you get back home and finish that quilt top -- your fabric choices really make that old pattern sing.
Posted by:rachel | June 25, 2007 at 12:39 PM
I am late to the game, but a very happy anniversary to you! And I am sending you lost of great moving/house selling wishes too.
Posted by:africankelli | June 26, 2007 at 03:57 PM
Belated anniversary.
Posted by:Clare | June 27, 2007 at 04:40 AM
Whao !!! Great ! And Grandmother garden pattern always give nice results .
I did one for bedcover and my children all want it !!
Posted by:bricolosdulundi | June 27, 2007 at 12:47 PM