This one is a big stash report. Â Honestly, I don’t know where to begin so I’m going to start at the beginning.
The childcare children and I were outside playing when the lady who delivers our mail pulled up. Â It wasn’t our normal mail time. Â She had three packages for me and explained that it’s easier to drop big packages off before the routes so she has room in her car for the regular mail. Â Then she opened the door to reveal and HUGE package. Â I don’t think a person could carry a box that was any bigger.
The kids were dancing around and happy. Â They think all packages are books or toys for them…this one was not. Â It was for me…but I had to wait until nap time to dig in…shucks.
I told you the box was HUGE!!
I started digging in. Â It was all haphazardly put together and that made it even more fun to sort. Â Is it okay to admit that I was so excited that I suddenly remember that I should quit digging in the goodies and stop and find if there was a note included?? Â I did find the note but it took a bit as I opened the box upside down as it was sagging in the bottom it was so heavy.
I finally found the note….The box was from…..Phyllis in PA. Â Phyllis explains that she is in the process of cleaning out her sewing room. Â She went to a yard sale and bought the contents of a quilter’s room. Â (OH MY!!) Â She didn’t do anything with the person’s started projects and such and was passing them on to me.
WOW. Â That explains many of the projects.
I can’t imagine the treasure trove of goodies Phyllis must have gotten from the yard sale as all the goodies in my box were good quality fabric and there were several different types of projects for doll clothes patterns, to hand applique, to make applique, to flannel projects, to batiks, to quilt fabric…so much variety!
There were LOTS and LOTS.
This was all fabric. Â It took a lot of time to sort through. Â I can’t imagine Phyllis’ task to sort even more of it. Â The sorting was worth it all….
Many of the projects had a block or two then had “Block of the month” kits to make make two more blocks but not the whole set. Â I debated what to do with them then Kalissa said “I thought you were making a blue and yellow quilt. Â Take the fabric and skip the other directions. Â Quit worrying that it was once in a kit.”….SMART GIRL. Â That’s what I ended up doing with several of the projects. Â The fabric was wonderful and there weren’t directions to complete the project so it made perfect sense.
I am in such awe of the great work that this quilter did. Â From the looks of the projects, she tackled many that were hard and she loved Block of the Month projects.
I had a blast sorting and finding homes for all the pieces. Â I have a big pile of scrap that I am going to tackle once I get my boot off my foot. Â The boot is about 1 1/2″ higher than my shoe. Â I get such a cramp in my hip if I stand at the table very long….and I’ve found for me, the best way to use up smaller cuts of fabric is to cut it up in my scrap users system.
These projects have waited quite awhile…I imagine they can wait a month or so to find their next temporary home until it makes it’s way into a quilt.
THANKS so much for thinking of my Phyllis. Â It was a blast sorting and organizing…the next part, sewing, is going to be even better. Â What a fun way to spend a nap time!!
To see what others are doing with their intake or output of fabric, check out Patchwork Times.
Wonderful gift box. I do have a pet peeve with your blog writing though. Could you please use “spell check” ????? It drives me insane to try and figure out what you are trying to say sometimes :-) On the other side of things, I love your blog and your inspirations.
I am a retired Reading jr high teacher and never have a problem reading your blog. Guess I am so excited to see what is happening in your world I never see any spelling problems. Wish I lived closer as I would load my SUV to bring you and the girls another load of fabrics and projects.
My momma always said that if you can’t say something nice….don’t say it at all.
Hi Jo,
I’m a friend of Kitty’s (library) and she sent me your blog. I am a former Military Intelligence Center and School Magazine and Newspaper editor. I read your recent post and noticed nothing annoying what-so-ever. Just get it out there! Thanks for sharing!
PPS Hi to Kitty
Wow, what a wonderful box of treasures you received! Woohoo!!
Loving your blog. I have to admit I love your way of telling a story (and have not ever noticed any spelling issues at all). Thanks for sharing your life with us – I have to commend your honestly and straight forward attitude. Enjoy your day.
Lucky you ! I’ve just had to do about the same thing here in France, we’ve moved from a house to a condo (view of the Eiffel Tower to compensate a little), and I had to give away so so much.
Thanks for all your lovely posts, Jo, and may I tell you they are always perfectly written.
Along the same lines . . . I was probably in kindergarten when my mother started teaching me that there are many things you can think, but should not say. I really enjoy your blog, Jo. You have a lovely family, and you are some kind of quilting superhero in my opinion. Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely surprise to get a box of goodies like that. Excellent advice from Kalissa to just use the fabrics and not worry about the partial block of the month project. As for standing up to cut scraps with the boot on, I’ve had to make adjustments the past year or so because of an ankle acting up (old Arthur, I suppose) and I use my adjustable height rolling office chair that I use as my sewing chair set at it’s highest point and and adjustable height smaller table like this one https://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-28241-Folding-Personal-Table/dp/B0006D50RO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477244656&sr=8-1&keywords=small%2Badjustable%2Bfolding%2Btable&th=1 set at it’s half-way point so I can cut comfortably while sitting down. Makes a world of difference in my ankle hurting and then my whole leg. Sometimes we just need to make adjustments for the situation.
What a great present to receive! Love your blog! Wish I knew where Carolyn lived, she could bring her fabric to me lol ;-)
What a rude comment! (The first commenter)
OM Goodness! What a fantastic box of goodies! This will keep you busy for a while:)