In My Mail…

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My mailbox is booming.  I had two packages one day…on the next and them more and more.

The first package was from Pauline.  When I felt the package my immediate thought was that I didn’t order a book.  Then when I opened it I saw that sweet blog reader Pauline thought of me and sent me a phone book.  I’ll be using that to sew some string blocks.  THANKS!

For those of you who aren’t familiar, I use telephone books as foundation papers for making string blocks.  They are excellent for that.

The next package came from Julie.  It’s a full quilt kit.

I think this will be added to the postage auction that I hope will be happening soon.  Those blog posts take a lot of time for me to write so they are easy to put off writing.  Soon though…soon.  THANKS so much for this.

Next up was… Continue reading →

Auction Day: Bid ’em up!

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I know we just did an auction last week, but my dining room table is covered with items that are inteneded to be used for auction and I’m ready to claim my table back.  Some of these items were donated.  Some were bought by me.

All money from the sale will go into the charity quilt fund for use in the charity quilt project.

With the charity quilt project, I have a lot of expenses.  Just a week ago I sent a package to Ray.  For one package, the cost of mailing it was $63.  That was one package.  Earlier that week I had sent four other packages out.  A few years ago when I wasn’t a widow, Kramer and I just paid for all of the postage out of our own pocket.  I can’t do that anymore.  I started doing the postage auctions as a way to support the charity quilting that happens here through the blog.  Needs have expanded so that now finishers are sometimes in need of batting or backing fabrics.  I have used some of the auction money to buy batting for finishers as well.

A huge thanks to everyone for being so good and bidding last week.  It was so sweet of you to help out this good cause.

PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES BEFORE YOU BID.

Here are the guidelines:
Bids must be entered in the comment section.  PLEASE  WRITE THE NAME OF THE ITEM, THE ITEM NUMBER, AND THEN THE AMOUNT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY.  If you are the winner of the bid, the postage amount will be added to your ending bid price.  You can pay via Paypal.  I will also accept a personal check but the check will have to clear before merchandise is sent.  Bidding will close at 5 pm Central Time on Monday.  I will send a confirmation email to the winning bidder later in the day on Monday or on Tuesday. Then hopefully bids can be paid and I can package the items up and get them in the mail ASAP.  If you do bid, please watch your email so we can take care of the correspondence efficiently.  I make a guess on postage.  If I’m off it’s not a big deal.  U.S. postage calculations.

On to the bidding.

Item #1:  Grandma’s Flower Garden quilt top with pink sashing + $7 postage

This was donated by a blog reader.  It is 72 x 95″.  It is in good shape.  It is hand-stitched.  This was donated by a blog reader.


Item #2:  Vintage String blocks + $6 postage

These are vintage string blocks.  They are in good shape.  I loved looking at the old newspaper on the back of the blocks.  There are 54 blocks and they are unfinished at 8″ square.  This was donated by a blog reader.

Item #3:  Four Charles Harper Cross Stitch Charts + $3 postage

I got these in a box of things from the thrift store.  I have three people ask to buy them from me.  Rather than trying to choose who to sell them to, I decided to put them in the auction.

Item #4:  Six Charles Harper Cross Stitch Charts + $3 postage

This is another lot of cross stitch charts by Charles Harper.  I had two of the same charts so opted to make two lots of charts.

Item #5: 11 Mini Vintage aprons + $3 postage

These were donated by a blog reader.  They are so cute and I love the vintage fabrics.

Item #6: Yoyo piece+ $6 postage

This yoyo piece is 32”x 49”.  A blog reader currently has this in her possession and will ship it to you if you are the winning bidder. Here is a close-up picture.

Item #7: Schnibble pattern collection+ $3 postage

A blog reader sent these and I thought they would be great for the auction.  There are 5 Miss Rosie Schnibble patterns.  They are designed to be made using two charm packs.  There is another pattern from This and That included.

Item #8: 15 Dresden plate blocks + $7 postage

These were donated by a blog reader.  There are 15 of these.  They measure 10 1/2″ across.

Item #9: Grandma’s Garden blocks + $7 postage

There are 34 of these Grandma’s Garden blocks.  They measure 14″ across.  These too were donated by a blog reader.  Two of the blocks have started to have the white sashing put around them.

Item #10:  Vintage quilt top + $6 postage

This was donated by a blog reader.  The blocks are so cute and I love the vintage fabrics.  This yellow cornerstone beauty measures 42″ x 62″.

Item #11:   Quilt books + $4 postage

Included in this lot are two quilt-related books.  The one on the left is a monthly planner from Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life.   It’s a great book to keep track of your quilting projects.  The next is a book from The Fat Quarter Shop.  It is designed to use “jolly bars” which are 5″ x 10″ pieces of fabric.  This was also donated by a blog reader.

Item #12: Lot of Prairie Schooler Cross Stitch Santas + $4 postage

These were donated to me by a blog reader.  They are so cute but we are not a family that does Santa.  I’m sure one of you out there would love to have them.  I know it’s really popular to stitch these and have a “Prairie Schooler Santa Tree”.

Check out the Santa with yarn…so cute.

Item #13: Vintage Sunbonnet Sues + $3 postage

Also donated by a blog reader are these vintage Sunbonnet Sue applique blocks.  One is mostly finished.

Item #14: Lot of stamped embroider blocks + $8 postage

This is a lot of stamped unstitched embroidery quilt blocks.  Blocks finish at 18″.  There are four packs with six in each pack.

Here you can see the blocks more closely.

Item #15: Lot of BLUE and GREEN embroidered blocks 26 blocks total + $7 postage

There are 13 of these finished blue blocks that finish at 18″.  They were stitched by an experienced stitcher.

Also included are 13 of these green stitched blocks that finish at 18″.

Item #16: Lot misc embroidered blocks + $9 postage

This is a bigger lot of embroidered blocks.  Some of these are the same design as the blocks from the earlier lot.  Included are about 18 blocks.


A color key came with the blocks so if you want to reference the colors you can.

That might be important as there and 4 packs of unfinished blocks as well.

There are is one that is stitched rainbow like this.

For fun, I am throwing in these heart blocks too.

If you are a mom or grandma needing to make several quilts but want them to all be the same-ish, buy both lots.  You’ll have plenty to make LOTS of quilts.  The person who stitched these did a nice job.

Item #17: AMAZING applique UFO + $8 postage

This kit was donated by a blog reader.  It is wonderful.  If you’ve always wanted an applique quilt but didn’t want to do most of the applique, this might be the deal for you.


The large floral and pieced blocks are finished.  The 6 inside blocks are not.  It appears to be a complete kit but I make no guarantees as I don’t have time to study it.

This is a Joined at the Hip pattern.  The only pattern included it the directions for Block #13…but it seems to be the finishing instructions.
I was so tempted to keep this…but the postage fund needs money and that’s what is most important.

Item #18: Lot of vintage feed sack fabrics + $4 postage

There are about 50 pieces in the stack.  I believe them to be feed sack vintage fabrics.  They measure 6″ x 6″.  These would be great for anyone wanting to repair a vintage quilt.  There were donated by a blog reader.

Item #19: Lot of vintage quilt blocks + $7 postage

These were donated by blog reader Holly.  I happen to have a note on the label that says that.  Holly wrote there were 59 vintage blocks in the group and they finish 8″ blocks.

Item #20:  Vintage Star Quilt top + $7 postage

This was donated by a blog reader.  The vintage star block top measures 57″ x 75 1/2″.  This was donated by a blog reader.

Item #21:  Grandma’s Garden top with green sashing + $7 postage

PLEASE MAKE NOTE WHEN BIDDING THERE ARE TWO GRANDMA’S GARDEN QUILT TOPS.  IT’S IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE THE BIDDING NUMBER IN YOUR BID SO OTHERS KNOW WHAT TOP YOU ARE BIDDING ON.  THIS IS ITEM #21.

This was donated by a blog reader.  This is a very nice top in very good shape.  The color had not faded.  It measures 76 1/2″ x 88 1/2″.  It’s so pretty.  This was also donated by a blog reader.

Item #22:  Apron and pot holder kit + $8 postage

This was donated by a blog reader.  Included are supplies and patterns to make the apron and potholders.   The insulated batting is also included.  As is a pop-up recipe box and cards.  This was donated by a blog reader.

Item #23:  Minkie Baby Kit + $7 postage

This is a kit to make the giraffe Minky play pad you see in the pattern.  The Minky and pattern are included.  This was donated by a blog reader.

Item #24:  Seven Sisters blocks + $3 postage

Included are the blocks you see below.  There are four finished and one started.  I was tempted to take these apart and make pincushions.  It would be a great start to a quilt…Lot of things to do with these.  This was also donated by a blog reader.

WOW.  That is the biggest auction I have ever done.  I’m pooped.  It takes a bit to organize, photograph, measure, count, and write the blog post for this.  I am happy to do it as so many of you donated items and it will all support the charity quilt project.

I have doctor appointments on Monday so I will try to get emails out to you either Monday or Tuesday evening.  Please be watching for them.

Holly, if you’re reading this, feel free to make an update in the comment section for us.  It was so great of you to do that last time.

Again, please read the guidelines before bidding.
Here are the guidelines:
Bids must be entered in the comment section.  PLEASE  WRITE THE NAME OF THE ITEM, THE ITEM NUMBER AND THEN THE AMOUNT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY.  If you are the winner of the bid, the postage amount will be added to your ending bid price.  You can pay via Paypal.  I will also accept a personal check but check will have to clear before merchandise is sent.  Bidding will close at 5pm Central Time on Monday.  I will send a confirmation email to the winning bidder later in the day on Monday or on Tuesday. Then hopefully bids can be paid and I can package the items up and get them in the mail ASAP.  If you do bid, please watch your email so we can take care of the correspondence efficiently.  I make a guess on postage.  If I’m off it’s not a big deal.  U.S. postage calculations.

Cabbage Anyone??

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I know cabbage isn’t a highly popular veggie for most people but the Kramer family, minus Kramer himself, actually likes cabbage.

We like it cooked.  We like sauerkraut.  The kids like coleslaw…me not so much but it’s okay.

I make some other recipes too:
Potato Cabbage Soup-Link HERE.
Mock Chow Mein-Link HERE.


Jazzed up Ramens-Find Link HERE.

Bacon Cabbage is likely the most favorite recipe of all.  Find it HERE.

I make a goal to plant cabbage in the garden every year as it’s a veggie we use up.

I was looking at the garden and was a little disappointed.  We had a late frost advisory a bit ago and I had small cabbage plants that didn’t do the best with it.  They look puny and I didn’t know if they would snap out of it.  They might…might not.  I had about eight plants there but really would like to have at least 12 plants for harvesting.  Four looked “meh”.

Kalissa was going to town and asked me if I needed anything.  I said, “Ya.  A couple of packs of cabbages would be great.  I guess about 12 plants.  I don’t know how many that would be.”

Kalissa came a bit later and said, Continue reading →

We Do Better…

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Sometimes when I read comments here on the blog, I worry that you all have an incorrect image of me.  I am not perfect.  I am far from it.  I don’t have the perfect family.  I haven’t always been the person I am today.  I’ve made tons of mistakes.  I’ve said the wrong thing at the wrong time.  I’ve hurt people’s feelings.  I’ve yelled too hard.  I haven’t been patient when being patient is what the situation needed.  I’ve lost my temper.  I’ve been unkind.  I’ve not treated people with respect.  I’ve thought of myself above others.  I’ve rolled my eyes. I’m a person full of flaws.

Let me explain.

On Memorial Day I wrote a blog post saying that maybe we shouldn’t say “Happy Memorial Day” as Memorial Day is the day we stop to honor soldiers who fought for our freedom and died.   They are the ones who died in uniform.  I said that “Happy” seems like the wrong word.  You are read the whole post HERE.

Brenda made a comment that said, “I so agree but ALWAYS wonder at the end of the day how many times I thoughtlessly wished someone a “happy” memorial day. We have had family in every war since the Revolutionary War and suffered no loss of life. Injury YES but no loss of life.”

I’m right there with you Brenda.  I’ve said so many wrong things in my life.  I’m surprised people here on the blog or anywhere have stuck with me for so long.  Like I said…I am flawed.

I have said “Happy Memorial Day”…but a few years ago when someone pointed it out to me that maybe “Happy” wasn’t the right word, I listened and took it to heart.  Will I say it again?  Likely.  BUT, I’m trying not to.  I’ve consciously thought about it and don’t want to.  Will it slip because it’s a habit and common…truthfully, I probably will.  It won’t be consciously.  It won’t be intentional…but I know better now so I’m going to try to do better.

Before I had family members that have dealt with infertility I completely took fertility for granted.  I would say callus things like”maybe next time things will go better”.  I’ve made comments like “I’m surprised you haven’t had kids yet”.   Yep.  I was that girl.  I’ve seen infertility through the eyes of two of my nieces and through my own daughter.  Now I know how hurtful some comments can be.  I know like me, the people who said them likely had no idea my daughter was trying to have children but things weren’t working.  They had no idea the udder disappointment that plagued Kelli each month…just like I had no idea.

I know better now, so I do better.  I don’t say those things.

When You Know Better, You Do Better

I have been in a situation.  We were at a party.  A person came up to the circle of people that I was chatting with and out of the blue the person said to someone in our circle, “I’m surprised you aren’t expecting yet”.  The others of us who were standing there were flabbergasted.  I didn’t know what to do.  Very pointedly I quickly said, “It doesn’t work the same way for all of us.”  Luckily Kalissa was there with me in the group I was talking with and she quickly changed the subject.  Still, I’m sure our friend was hurt.

No one who is going through infertility needs a reminder of their pain.  No one needs to know that others are noticing.

The list goes on and on over what I have learned.

I’ve learned to keep my political opinion mostly to myself.  No one needs to know how I vote.  I was talking to a childcare mom of mine and we both agreed that it doesn’t matter to us who others support as long as they don’t throw it our face…in return, we won’t throw our opinions in other’s faces either.  I’ve seen so many people hurt and relationships are broken over this last election cycle.  The childcare mom and I both had dealt with people we love getting hurt…no relationships will ever be the same.  Was grinding an opinion so important that it was the cost of a relationship?

Sometimes we need to see the bad or experience the bad to know to we need to do better.  You will never see me outrightly support or deny any candidate here because I don’t want to hurt anyone with my opinion.  Relationships are more important to me than a candidate or political party.  I wish others would have realized that before hurtful things were said that can’t be taken back.

I wasn’t always that way…but now I know better…and I do better.

I love this from Maya Angelou… Continue reading →