Pack up all your cares and woe

There sure has been a lot of traffic through here lately...both the blog and the house.  Who knew there was so much blankie love out there?  Thanks to several generous mentions around the internet, the blankie post got over 4,000 hits last week!  I heard that blankie was far and away the hit of the birthday, though it was sent along with the gift, not as the gift.  And her first reaction on the phone to me was that it *looks like new!*  Definitely one of my most satisfying projects. 

Although I cringe a little (ok, a lot) when bloggers apologize for not posting for a while, I feel some small explanation for my prolonged absence might be in order after my recent *I'll be posting more regularly now* declaration.  It was high anxiety here last week when a parade of prospective buyers had me spending literally hours parked in the car down the street during numerous showings, with one lengthy revisit, followed by a flurry of questions such as "can they be out by the end of the month?"  This while prepping for our trip.  Remember, I was going to throw a bunch of summer things in a bag and head off into the sunset?  (Or would that be the rising sun?)  As Molly would say, *dreaming!*  Invitations materialized, plans multiplied, wardrobe considerations developed, more gifts were needed.  And my usual pre-trip panic set in.  Long story short, the buyers decided on *the other* house, our clothes are all ironed & laid out, gifts & wrappings are set to be packed.  And not much else got accomplished.  But I did come across this basket block I made a while ago after falling in love with an antique quilt on eBay about 5 years ago.

Detail, antique applique quilt, 1880

At that time, I used to regularly peruse the antique quilt listings and save favorite shots to floppy discs for inspiration.  And until I came across the block, I had forgotten about the discs.  What a treasure trove!  I'll share some more when I get back.

The block, as I recall, was a pain to draft and assemble, but its charm may entice me to fiddle around with it some more.  Am I the only one who sees a Chinese lantern-y look to the basket?  I think it looks right at home on my Japanese tray and obi runner.  Asia on the mind, I guess. 

I've been promising some links so here are a few that might be new to you...something for everyone!

• A couple of quilt blogs that I've been enjoying lately are Quilt Otaku and Exuberant Color.  Each has several months worth of archives that are well worth reading through.
• Cherry Blossom Hill Studio is another blog that deserves more attention, in my opinion.  Quilts and knits...wonderful photos, lots of info.
• Jane Ann has been making gorgeous pineapple blocks and Swim Notes has been posting her bright, fresh quilts on Flickr since giving up her (much missed) blog, Swim.
• Lucie Summers is a British collage artist whose assemblages caught my eye on Flickr several months ago.  My favorites are several that she currently is showing at the Nahcotta show in Portsmouth, NH but she has recently opened an Etsy shop where she sells smaller pieces.  And she blogs!
• How about these Estonian mittens that showed up on Kindra's blog?  The strawberries!  I need to take a closer look at these when I get home from Japan.
• And all of you knitters who are considering holiday projects?  Look no further!  (I found this hilarious link at My Half of the Brain, a blog of wonderful tutorial links.)
• There are some great personal stories of *blankie love* that people wrote about in the comments on the last post.  My very favorite is one of the last (on the second page of comments...something new on Typepad?) left by Lynn Dykstra.  Aww. 

BTW, did you know that a little pre-treatment with Dawn dishwashing liquid will remove stubborn little grease spots on clothing?  Ironing my trip clothes this morning, I came across several nasty little stains on newly washed items and re-washed them after applying a little dab of Dawn.  Voila!  (Note to self: make yourself an apron when you get back from Japan. And wear it.)  I told you there'd be something for everyone today!

I don't know if I'll be posting from Japan.  In any case, I'll be back in a couple of weeks.  I'm off to finish packing...all of our things plus the items that Molly requested.  Think I'll be able to fit my clothes in?

   

Comments

[Anina]

Wow! I'm exhausted just reading all of that. I'll have to try the Dawn thing since I always have stubborn little spots on my clothes (I need an apron too- oh, actually I have one, I just don't wear it). Good luck fitting the clothes in with the yarn. Bon voyage!

[Patti]

What a treasure trove of ideas! And you are right - that block does have an Asian feel to it, though I would not have realized it without you mentioning the fact.

Have a marvelously wonderful trip - we'll be eagerly awaiting pictures when you return.

[KT]

Travel safely!

[blackbird]

I know your trip will be wonderful and I can't wait to hear about it!

Please give my best to Molly!

[gray la gran]

i'm going to try that dawn trick the next time i wash ...i wonder if it can remove very old oil spots? hmmm ... i'll let you know.
have a fun and safe trip. just think, you'll have lots of empty space in that suitcase for the goodies you'll bring home ;)

[Alex]

Have a great time here!!! Still hot in this country... slow down, enjoy yourself.
... totally understand Molly's requests. Think of this space it takes as the space that is reserved to all those Japanese yarns and fabrics on your way back!

[kathy]

The Dawn tip is so funny, I picked that up from my Mom this summer, it really does work miracles! Have a fabulous trip!

[Tonya R]

I get grease spots on myself from eating, forget about cooking. no surprise you've been so busy with the house and the upcoming trip (woohoo!). fun block, glad you found your treasure trove of pics.

[molly!]

Two words: WOO. HOO.

Can't wait to get my hands on that yarn, I mean, see you!

[~~Melissa]

Thanks for all the links to explore. I love good, new, solid link leads!

I'm a Dawn fan too: I use it for both prewashing fabrics to remove sizing and grease and rinsing when hand dyeing fabrics for quilts (instead of the much more expensive Synthropol). Complete instructions are on my blog.

Have a great trip.

[Kathie]

Japan!! Have a fabulous trip! Enjoy your time with your daughter.

[Corvus]

That Dawn tip is a very good thing to know. Thanks!

I noticed the blankie all across the internet as well, and got to smile and think "I know where that came from." Twas fun.

[Cara]

Have a FABULOUS trip!!

[Sally]

Oh my gosh, what stress over the house! Soon it will sell! Soon it will sell! (That was my mantra for the longest time!) Perhaps your house is just waiting for the right buyer! Good luck!

[Marisa]

Thanks so much for the mention of my blog Quilt Otaku. It's an honor. I'm off to check out your other recommended links. Enjoy the trip to Japan. I wish I was coming with you. The dawn trick sounds very interesting...

[Nancy]

Have a fantastic trip!

[Chris]

Have fun!

[Melanie]

You are too sweet! Have a great trip!

[kelly]

wow - so much goodness here! have a fantastic trip... dreaming of going back sometime in the not-too-distant future!

[Hanna]

how fun, I cringe every time people write those posts too! hmm... have a great trip, and be carful with that bag, that is A LOT of yarn! hehe

[Kathy]

I was wondering why I was getting so many comments this week! Thank you for sending all the lovely visitors my way! I've gotten to meet some new people and have been enjoying visiting new wonderful craft blogs I had never seen before. I just wanted to mention that Quilt Mania just did a two part series on quilt basket blocks that I thought you might enjoy after seeing your lovely post with the precious quilted basket.

[susan]

so glad the whip up post brought a few people your way ... it's a really important thing you did, but awh, you know that!
hope your trip got off well... and as I was in the Nahcotta show too, I got to see those lovely quilts first hand... they were hanging quite near my prints!
have a wonderful wonderful time jan!
xo
susan

[amandajean]

hope your trip is fab. sorry to hear that your house wasn't "the one" the buyers chose. I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster you must have been on!