I'm excited it's Friday! On Fridays, whenever possible, I join in with a great group of people over at Susanne's Living to Tell the Story and share highlights from my week.
1. I was thinking this week about legacies. As you know, recently my mother-in-law passed away, and we've had the job joy of going through her possessions and choosing mementoes. She had lots of quilts and we each got some! Here is my favorite quilt:
A Dahlia quilt. Aren't the colors beautiful? But what you can't see, behind this beautiful panel, there are spots of a rust-like color all over this quilt. The quilt itself looks like it has hardly ever been used. Except for the spots, the backing of the quilt is a pristine white. The material is stiff like it hadn't even been washed. Yet, it had been packed away, at the bottom of a wooden hamper, and never saw the light of day. We bought rust remover and tried to get the spots out but had no success. Desperate to make the quilt usable, we then tried every cleaning concoction known to us. Nothing helped. Not one spot faded - not even a little. So, I carefully folded the quilt in such a way that the spots don't show and placed it on my quilt rack that hangs in my bedroom. The colors of the quilt look great against my blue wall.
But what a shame that a quilt that could brighten a bed and warm a body never got to do its job. There were many other items found at my mother-in-law's house that could have been used by someone. Clothes with tags on them, beautiful dishes never taken out of the box, rugs and curtains stored so long they became dry-rotted. I determined then to try and never make that mistake. I want to use my things! If I can't use them, I will take a picture of them so as to remember them and then pass it to someone who will treasure the items.
I did received one of Edith's quilts that was in great shape:
I don't know what this pattern is called, but it is beautiful and it now resides on our bed and keeps my husband and I warm - extremely warm. I didn't realize how warm quilts can be!
2. A favorite quote (it's been awhile since I shared a quote!): "EVERY CHRISTIAN FAMILY IS A MIRACLE! Not a church going family. Not a religious family. A CHRISTIAN family. A family of Christ followers." Gina at Internet Cafe Devotions on March 3, 2010.
3. My favorite frozen dinner - Marie Callendar's Santa Fe Chicken. It. Is. So. Good. It's great to take to eat on my lunch hour. My second favorite: Marie Callendar's Sweet and Sour Chicken.
4. Favorite thing: new dresses! I splurged Saturday and bought not one, but two, new dresses. There's hardly anything I like better (material-wise) than new clothes. I have to keep a tight rein on myself!
5. Always a favorite - sunshine! Today is a beautiful sunny day and it's good to be alive!
To read other favorites, visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.
Those quilts are just GORGEOUS! But if the rust is only on the back side of the quilt, why couldn't you use it anyway? Especially if NOTHING is taking it out? Not much chance it's going to GO anywhere is there?
ReplyDeleteI agree with that Christian Family statement! It will certainly be a MIRACLE if mine ever is one! But... miracles DO happen!
I need to go shopping for a new EASTER dress! And I can't wait! I sO hope Easter is WARM this year! Last year was flat out FREEZING! And the year before was fairly cool too!
Beautiful quilts! The second one reminds me of a pattern named after a butter churn.
ReplyDeleteI rarely wear dresses, but just recently decided I need to look into making some skirts. When I give up my day job, I'm going to pull out my sewing machine.
the quilt is beautiful! I decided this week to not burden my family with "stuff" I am decluttering and not holding onto anything just because! Have a great week
ReplyDeleteThe quilts are amazing! What a special keepsake and a memory you now have to cherish of your MIL's.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Hi Jerri! That is such a good resolve to use what we have or to give it away. We had quite an adventure with our MIL's stuff. The quilts are great. Have a wonderful weekend...
ReplyDeleteIt's the sunshine that makes us want to buy new clothes, just blame it on the sunshine! Such a shame so much of your MIL's things were never used, those quilts look fabulous, both of them! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful quilts. There is so much talent and work in just one of those. A very good reminder about the things in our homes. We should be using them otherwise why not let someone have it who will.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is beautiful. And I like you changed job to joy. I need to make that change in attitude with a few things in my life! I wish a dress would just come to me instead of me having to go it. ha. Sunshine--yes, bring it on!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful quote! And, those quilts! Stunning! It amazes me that some ladies have the patient and talent to quilt! (I have neither!)
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful quilts! It's wonderful to imagine how talented ladies work on and come up with such a beautiful product. I admit I love new dresses and like you, I have to put a tight rein on myself too or the shopping might blow out of proportion; as it happened to me a few times in the past.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have these beautiful quilts! I liked hearing what were you favorite frozen dinners too. Good to know!
ReplyDeleteI love that first quilt! I'm with Melli, though....if the stains are on the back, why not put it on a bed? I'm sure it is gorgeous hanging on a rack, though - especially against blue walls.
ReplyDeleteI've been decluttering in my house lately - and, about 2 years ago, I decided that if I wasn't going to use something, I shouldn't have it. I also decided that if I was keeping something for sentimental reasons (I have plenty of that stuff), I need to put a note with the item so that when my kids have the job ...oops, I mean joy...of going though my things they at least know why I kept something - then they can pitch it intelligently. :)
I've found plenty, though, that even I do not know why it has been kept. If I don't know why I kept it, it gets thrown out.
Yay for getting some new dresses! Good for you!
BTW....good to see you able to do this post!
The quilts are a true treasure! Did you try a product called "Iron Out" It used to get the most amazing stains out of my son's white baseball pants.
ReplyDeleteLove that quote.....so true and insightful.
Bring on the sunshine! :)
Oh, my word. Speaking of new dresses...
ReplyDeleteMy daughter went out shopping with my mother-in-law today for a new dress. She was getting it for her end of the year eighth grade dance.
Jerri, it's beautiful. She looks gorgeous. But she doesn't look 13! She doesn't look like my baby girl! AAHHHHHH!!!!!
Thanks. I feel better. Had to get that out. *grin*
I hope you will find something to remove the stains from that quilt... but maybe they'll lend a certain vintage feel and still be useful and beautiful. Congrats on the dresses -- nothing like finding things you love.
ReplyDeleteHave you asked at the dry cleaners about rust stain removers? (Are the stains from rusty pins?) Your mil quilted beautiful things!
ReplyDeleteAfter my parents passed away (and they didn't have a lot of stuff because THEY had cleaned out THEIR parents' homes and vowed to not do that to us) I evaluated my possessions and continually work at 'minimalizing' my stuff. I'm mostly successful in areas other than books and fiber :)
the quilt is beautiful and your lesson learnt is very true.
ReplyDeleteStuff should be used not stored away.
Oh I need to go get myself a dress too.
Happy week.
love the quote!
Thanks for visiting my 'five' at Small Reflections. I've not had much time for blogging lately so am trying to catch up as I'm able. I'm sorry about the loss of your mother in law and that you were unable to remove the rust stains from her lovely quilt. I've not tried those frozen dinners but just might give them a try. Glad you have some sunshine. It's nice to get acquainted virtually ;-)
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,